1. the aristocratic class in ancient Rome, consisting of the descendants of the original citizen families
Usage: historical
2. a ruling class of wealthy merchants and nobles in medieval and Renaissance city-states
Usage: historical

Examples

• The Roman patriciate held exclusive political power in the early republic.
• Members of the patriciate could trace their ancestry back to the founding families of Rome.
• The Venetian patriciate controlled trade and governance for centuries.
• Wealthy merchant families gradually joined the patriciate in many Italian cities.
• The patriciate’s influence declined as democratic movements gained strength.
• Marriage between the patriciate and plebeians was initially forbidden in Rome.