n. The office or jurisdiction of a matriarch; a matriarchal form of government. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. F. patriarcat. ] 1. The office, dignity, or jurisdiction of a patriarch. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The residence of an ecclesiastic patriarch. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. (Ethnol.) A patriarchal form of government or society. See Patriarchal, a., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]