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paternal

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The definition of paternal is having the characteristic of a father or fatherhood.

(adjective)

An example of paternal is a child's father's parents.

See paternal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of, like, or characteristic of a father or fatherhood; fatherly
derived, received, or inherited from a father
related through the father's side of the family: paternal grandparents

Origin: ML paternalis < L paternus < pater, father

Related Forms:

paternally adverb

See paternal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Relating to or characteristic of a father or fatherhood; fatherly.
Received or inherited from a father: a paternal trait.
Related through one's father: my paternal aunt.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin paternālis

Origin: , from Latin paternus

Origin: , from pater, father; see pəter- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

pa·terˈnal·ly adverb

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