patrimonial adjective. [patrɪ'mǝʊnɪǝl] M16.
[Latin patrimonialis, from patrimonium: see PATRIMONY, -AL¹]
1. Pertaining to or constituting a patrimony; hereditary. M16.

2. Sociology. Designating or pertaining to a traditional type of social structure in which a (male) ruler maintains authority through officials, an army, etc., retained by him and having loyalty to him personally. M20.
Special collocations: patrimonial seas, patrimonial waters an area extending beyond territorial waters, the natural resources of which belong to the coastal nation though vessels of other countries have freedom of passage through it.

■ patrimonialism noun a system of patrimonial authority M20.

■ patrimonially adverb in the way of patrimony, hereditarily M17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲