patriciate

noun

pa·​tri·​ci·​ate pə-ˈtri-shē-ət 

-ˌāt

1

: the position or dignity of a patrician

2

: a patrician class

Synonyms

• aristocracy
• elite
• gentility
• gentlefolk
• gentlefolks
• gentry
• nobility
• quality
• upper class
• upper crust

Examples of patriciate in a Sentence

the patriciate regarded patronage of the arts as a moral and social duty

Word History

Etymology

see patrician entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1