patres conscripti

Originally most likely an ellipsis of patrēs et cōnscrīptī, seemingly distinct groups of senators in the early Republic. The 7th-century writer Isidore of Seville interprets cōnscrīptī as adjectival, but this reading is now usually rejected; the singular pater cōnscrīptus is, however, attested in Cicero (apparently as a joke).

patrēs cōnscrīptī m pl (variously declined, genitive patrum cōnscrīptōrum); third declension, second declension

1. (politics) An honorific term of address for the Roman Senate, literally conscript fathers or fathers and conscripts.
   • 55 BCE, Cicero, In Pisonem 24:

     At audistis, patres conscripti, philosophi vocem: negavit se triumphi cupidum umquam fuisse.

     But Conscript Fathers, you heard the voice of the philosopher: he denied that he has ever had the desire for a triumph.

Third-declension noun with a second-declension noun, plural only.

• → English: conscript father (calque)