Patriarch /(pā"trĭ*ärk)/

Pa·tri·arch

Patriarch

n.
  1. The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his family or descendants by paternal right; -- usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses.
  2. A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch. (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.)
  3. A venerable old man; an elder. Also used figuratively.
    The patriarch hoary, the sage of his kith and the hamlet.
    The monarch oak, the partiarch of trees.