Pat"ri*mo*ny (?), n.; pl.
Patrimonies (#). [L. patrimonium, fr.
pater father: cf. F. patrimoine. See Paternal.]
1. A right or estate inherited from one's father;
or, in a larger sense, from any ancestor. "'Reave the orphan of
his patrimony." Shak.
2. Formerly, a church estate or
endowment. Shipley.