patrimony

Patrimony is something inherited from your father or your ancestor, or something that has been endowed to a church.

(noun)

  1. A family home inherited from your father is an example of patrimony.
  2. A grant of money and property given to a church is an example of patrimony.

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See patrimony in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. patrimonies

  1. property inherited from one's father or ancestors
  2. property endowed to an institution, as a church
  3. anything inherited, as a characteristic or tendency

Origin: ME patrimoigne < OFr patrimoine < L patrimonium < pater, father + -monium, -mony

Related Forms:

See patrimony in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pat·ri·mo·nies
  1. a. An inheritance from a father or other ancestor.
    b. An inheritance or legacy; heritage.
  2. An endowment or estate belonging to an institution, especially a church.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French patrimoine

Origin: , from Latin patrimōnium

Origin: , from pater, patr-, father; see pəter- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • patˌri·moˈni·al adjective
  • patˌri·moˈni·al·ly adverb

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