paternity Hear it!

paternity definition

pa·ter·nity (pə tʉr′nə tē)

noun

  1. the state of being a father; fatherhood
  2. male parentage; paternal origin
  3. origin or authorship in general

Etymology: OFr paternité < LL paternitas < L paternus, paternal < pater, father

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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