patrimony

[ pa-truh-moh-nee ]
/ ˈpæ trəˌmoʊ ni /

noun, plural pat·ri·mo·nies.

an estate inherited from one's father or ancestors.
any quality, characteristic, etc., that is inherited; heritage.
the aggregate of one's property.
the estate or endowment of a church, religious house, etc.

Origin of patrimony

1300–50; Middle English patrimonie < Middle French < Latin patrimōnium. See patri-, -mony

OTHER WORDS FROM patrimony

pat·ri·mo·ni·al, adjective pat·ri·mo·ni·al·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for patrimony

British Dictionary definitions for patrimony

patrimony
/ (ˈpætrɪmənɪ) /

noun plural -nies

an inheritance from one's father or other ancestor
the endowment of a church

Derived forms of patrimony

patrimonial (ˌpætrɪˈməʊnɪəl), adjective patrimonially, adverb

Word Origin for patrimony

C14 patrimoyne, from Old French, from Latin patrimonium paternal inheritance