patriarchy(pa·tri·arch·y)

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/patriarchy?region=us

Pronunciation:/ˈpātrēˌärkē, /

 

noun (plural -arch·ies)

• a system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family and descent is traced through the male line.
• a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.
• a society or community organized on patriarchal lines.

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  • mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek patriarkhia, from patriarkhēs ‘ruling father’  (see patriarch)

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