patriarch
[noun]
Synonyms: father, architect, author, creator, founder, generator, inventor, maker, originator, sire, gaffer, graybeard

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

pa‧tri‧arch /ˈpeɪtriɑːk $ -ɑːrk/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: patriarche, from Late Latin, from Greek, from patria 'family' + -arches 'ruler']

1. an old man who is respected as the head of a family or tribe ⇒ matriarch

2. a bishop in the early Christian church

3. a bishop of the Orthodox Christian churches who is very high in rank

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲