pătrĭarcha and pătrĭarches, ae, m., = πατριάρχης, the father or chief of a tribe, a patriarch.
I Lit.: secundum patriarchas et ceteros majores, Tert. Idol. 17; id. Cor. Mil. 9; Prud. Psych. 534; Vulg. 1 Par. 8, 28; id. Act. 7, 8.— Gen. plur. patriarchūm, Paul. Nol. Carm. 24, 209.—
B Transf., a chief bishop , a patriarch , Vop. Firm. Saturn. 8, 4.—
II Trop.: philosophi, patriarchae ut ita dixerim, haereticorum, Tert. Anim. 3.