Definition of "patrimonial" [pat•ri•mo•ni•al]

• Of or pertaining to patrimony (adjective)
• Legally inherited from one or more ancestors (adjective)

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• "Instead, it strengthened what he calls "patrimonial capitalism"-a system in which the key determinant of success is how close you are to those in power."
• "HAVING set forth, in the two preceding chapters, the nature of a commonwealth institutive, by the consent of many men together; I come now to speak of dominion, or a body politic by acquisition, which is commonly called a patrimonial kingdom."
• "(eventually seventeen) were summoned, but for ordinary meetings for the purpose of money levies only those of the so-called patrimonial or old"