Patriciate

Pronunciation: /ˈpətɹɪʃəˈti/

Patriciate (noun)

  1. In ancient Rome, the group of families that held high social status and political power.
  2. A society’s top class, made up of people seen as having the highest status.

Examples

  • The patriciate held power in the city for generations.
  • Patriciate families influenced laws and public decisions.