Etymology: < classical Latin patri-, combining form (in e.g. patricīda patricide n.2, patrimōnium patrimony n.) of patr- , pater father (see pater n.2). Compare matri- comb. form.Earliest in the 14th cent. in the French and Latin loan patrimony n., subsequently in late 16th cent. in the Latin loan patricide n.2 A small number of formations in English, all technical terms in anthropology, are found from the beginning of the 20th cent.; the earliest of these (patrilineal adj., patrilocal adj., patripotestal adj.) first occur in the works of Northcote Whitridge Thomas, alongside corresponding formations in matri- comb. form. Compare French patri- (formations in which are found from the first half of the 20th cent.).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2021).