Patrilineage is the tracing of ancestral descent through the male line. It is a concept that has been important in many cultures throughout history. There are several synonyms that can be used to describe this concept, including patrilinearity, agnatic descent, and agnatic kinship. Patrilinearity is a term that emphasizes the importance of the male line in tracing ancestry. Agnatic descent is a similar concept that refers to tracing ancestry through the male line. Agnatic kinship is a broader term that includes all relatives related through the male line, including relatives by marriage. These synonyms all describe important aspects of patrilineal societies and their social structure.