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patronymic Definition

pat·ro·nymic (pa′trə nim′ik)

adjective

  1. derived from the name of a father or ancestor
  2. showing such descent a patronymic suffix

Etymology: LL patronymicus < Gr patrōnymikos < patēr, father + onyma, name

noun

  1. a name showing descent from a given person as by the addition of a prefix or suffix (Ex.: Stevenson, son of Steven; O'Brien, descendant of Brien; Ivanovna, daughter of John, used in Russ. after the first name)
  2. a family name; surname

patronymic Synonyms

patronymic

n.

surname, family name, cognomen, father's name; see name 1.

patronymic Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

simple: The practice here is relatively simple patronymics, where a surname is derived from the first name of the father.

Browse dictionary entries near patronymic

  1. ‹ patronizing
  2. ‹ patronize
  3. ‹ patroness
  4. ‹ patronal
  5. ‹ patronage
  6. ‹ patron saint
  7. ‹ patron
  8. ‹ patrolman
  9. ‹ patrol wagon
  10. ‹ patrol car
  1. patroon ›
  2. patsy ›
  3. patten ›
  4. patter ›
  5. patter song ›
  6. pattern ›
  7. patternmaker ›
  8. Patti ›
  9. Patton ›
  10. Patton, George Smith ›