Definition of PATRIMONY

patrimony

Meanings

Plural: patrimonies

Noun

  • a church endowment
  • an inheritance coming by right of birth (especially by primogeniture)
  • A right or estate inherited from one's father; or, in a larger sense, from any male ancestor.
  • Formerly, a church estate or endowment.

Origin / Etymology

First attested in 1513. From earlier patrimoyne, from patremoyne, from Middle French patrimoine/patremoine, semi-learned borrowing from Latin patrimōnium, from pater (“father”) + -mōnium (“state, condition”). By surface analysis, patri- + -mony. Compare matrimony.

Synonyms

birthright, heirloom

Scrabble Score: 16

patrimony is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
patrimony is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
patrimony is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

patrimony is a valid Words With Friends word