patrician
UK: pəˈtrɪʃ(ə)n | US: pəˈtrɪʃən
n. 1. A person of noble or high rank; an aristocrat.
n. 2. In ancient Rome, a member of the original citizen families, as opposed to the plebeians.
adj. 1. Belonging to or characteristic of the aristocracy.
The word patrician traces back to Latin patricius, meaning "descendant of the fathers" (from patres, the elite founding families of Rome). It originally referred to the privileged class of ancient Rome, who claimed lineage from the city's original senators. Over time, the term broadened to denote aristocracy or high social standing in general, reflecting the enduring association of paternal lineage with nobility.
The patrician families of Venice held significant political power during the Renaissance.
His patrician manners made him stand out at the humble village gathering.
In ancient Rome, patricians often clashed with plebeians over legal rights.
She carried herself with a patrician grace that hinted at her aristocratic upbringing.
The novel explores the decline of a patrician dynasty in 19th-century Europe.