Father of the family, the oldest living male, who retained many more legal rights over his wife, off-spring, slaves, and dependents than are common in our time, including some rights of life and death. The term also refers, more nebulously, to the master of a familia, or associated group of a family, slaves, and clients. Probably the best rough equivalent for the sake of comprehension to an American would be Don Vito Corleone and his mafia family.