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Webster's New World College Dictionary » paternal
paternal
paternal definition
pa·ter·nal (pə tʉr′nəl)
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
Etymology: ML paternalis < L paternus < pater, father
Related Forms:
- paternally pa·ter′·nally adverb
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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