patrimony
UK: ˈpætrɪməni | US: ˈpætrɪmoʊni
n. property inherited from one's father or ancestors; heritage
n. (historical) estate or revenue belonging to a church or religious institution
patrimony = patri<father> + mony<noun suffix denoting condition or result>
- patri (from Latin pater, meaning "father")
- mony (from Latin -monium, a suffix forming nouns indicating state, condition, or result)
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin patrimonium ("property inherited from a father"), combining pater (father) and -monium (a suffix denoting legal or inherited status). The term originally emphasized paternal lineage in Roman law, where inheritance was strictly patrilineal. Over time, it broadened to include any ancestral heritage, secular or ecclesiastical.
The ancient castle was part of the family's patrimony for centuries.
The church's patrimony included vast lands donated by nobles.
He squandered his patrimony on reckless investments.
Legal disputes often arise over the division of patrimony.
The museum preserves the cultural patrimony of the region.