Definition

1. Noun:
   • A line of descent traced through the paternal side of the family: "Patrilineage" refers to the principle or system of tracing kinship, ancestry, and inheritance exclusively through the male line, from fathers to their children.

Usage

• The term "patrilineage" is used in anthropology, sociology, and history to describe social systems, family structures, or inheritance patterns that are organized through the male line.
• It is a formal, academic term.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The royal succession followed a strict patrilineage, meaning only the king's sons could inherit the throne.
  • In studying the clan's history, the anthropologist focused on its patrilineage to understand property inheritance.
  • Their family tree, documenting their patrilineage, showed an unbroken line of fathers and sons for ten generations.

Advanced Usage

• "to trace one's patrilineage": to research or follow the line of descent on the father's side.
  • He used historical records to trace his patrilineage back to the 17th century.

Variants and Related Words

• Patrilineal (adj): relating to or based on relationship to the father or descent through the male line.
  • They are a patrilineal society, where family name and land pass from father to son.
• Patriliny (n): the practice of tracing descent through the male line; often used synonymously with "patrilineage."

Synonyms

• Agnatic lineage: descent traced exclusively through males from a common male ancestor.
• Male line: a simpler term for descent through fathers.

Antonyms

• Matrilineage (n): a line of descent traced through the maternal side of the family.
• Cognatic descent: descent traced through either or both parents.

Noun

1. line of descent traced through the paternal side of the family