Originally implies absolute control; think of old legal systems where men ruled families. As the paterfamilias, he decided the profession of his sons.
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Traditional Use
Strongly associated with historical or traditional settings; rarely used in modern, egalitarian discussions. The paterfamilias would oversee the entire lineage's affairs.
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Archaic Tone
Can sound archaic. Use it to evoke a sense of antiquity or in discussing ancient history. In the play, the paterfamilias cursed his fate under Roman law.