pat·ri·mo·ny

[pa-truh-moh-nee]
noun, plural pat·ri·mo·nies.
1.
an estate inherited from one's father or ancestors.
2.
any quality, characteristic, etc., that is inherited; heritage.
3.
the aggregate of one's property.
4.
the estate or endowment of a church, religious house, etc.

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English patrimonie < Middle French < Latin patrimōnium. See patri-, -mony

pat·ri·mo·ni·al, adjective
pat·ri·mo·ni·al·ly, adverb


1. inheritance.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To patrimony
00:10
Patrimony is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
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World English Dictionary
patrimony (ˈpætrɪmənɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -nies
1.  an inheritance from one's father or other ancestor
2.  the endowment of a church
 
[C14 patrimoyne, from Old French, from Latin patrimonium paternal inheritance]
 
patrimonial
 
adj
 
patri'monially
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

patrimony
mid-14c., "property of the Church," also "spiritual legacy of Christ," from O.Fr. patrimonie (12c.), from L. patrimonium "a paternal estate, inheritance," from pater (gen. patris) "father" + -monium, suffix signifying action, state, condition. Meaning "property inherited from a father or ancestors"
is attested from late 14c. Fig. sense of "immaterial things handed down from the past" is from 1580s. A curious sense contrast to matrimony.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Patrimony traditionally refers to a family inheritance.
Natural resources are seen by many as a national patrimony, meaning all profits should be shared.
It's a moving if slightly schmaltzy tribute to the richness of the city's
  cultural patrimony.
It may not have time to flog much of this patrimony before it goes to the polls.
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