patriciate
/pəˈtrɪʃiɪt/
noun
- The highest social class or aristocracy in a society, especially in ancient Rome or medieval Europe.
- Membership in the patriciate was often inherited and difficult to attain.
- The decline of the old patriciate allowed new merchant families to rise in power.
- The patriciate of Venice controlled the city's trade and government for centuries.
- The status or rank of being a patrician.
- He was granted patriciate by the emperor as a reward for his service.
- She married into the patriciate and had to learn its strict social rules.
- The family's patriciate was recognized by their coat of arms and titles.
Synonyms