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The combining form patri- is used like a prefix meaning “father.” It is often used in a variety of scientific and technical terms, especially in anthropology.

Patri- comes from Latin pater, meaning “father.” The Greek cognate, also meaning “father,” is �貹��ḗr, which is the source of . Find out more at our entry for the word.

The “mother” counterpart to patri- is . Check out our 51�Թ�s That Use article for matri- to learn more.

What are variants of patri-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, patri- becomes the rare form patr-. Want to know more? Check out our 51�Թ�s That Use article for patr-.

An example of a word you may have encountered that features patri- is patrilineal, “the muscular substance of the heart.”

We know patri- means “father,” while the -lineal portion refers to “line,” from Latin līneālis. Patrilineal literally translates to “father’s line.”

What are some words that use the equivalent of the combining form patri- in Greek or Latin?

• patriarch
• patrician
• patrimony
• patriot

What are some other forms that patri- may be commonly confused with?

• patho-
• peri-

The combining form -cide means “killer” or “act of killing.” With this in mind, what is patricide?