patriarchs

/P EY1 T R IY0 AA0 R K S/
noun
  1. 1

    The highest form of bishop, in the ancient world having authority over other bishops in the province but now generally as an honorary title; in Roman Catholicism, considered a bishop second only to the Pope in rank.

  2. 2

    In Biblical contexts, a male leader of a family, tribe or ethnic group, especially one of the twelve sons of Jacob (considered to have created the twelve tribes of Israel) or (in plural) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

  3. 3

    A founder of a political or religious movement, an organization or an enterprise.

  4. 4

    An old leader of a village or community.

  5. 5

    The male progenitor of a genetic or tribal line, or of a clan or extended family.

  6. 6

    The male head of a household or nuclear family.

Source: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/patriarch, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/patriarchs