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View synonyms for

paternal

[ puh-tur-nl ]

adjective

  1. characteristic of or befitting a father; fatherly:

    a kind and paternal reprimand.

  2. of or relating to a father.
  3. related on the father's side:

    one's paternal grandfather.

  4. derived or inherited from a father:

    paternal traits.



paternal

/ əˈɜːə /

adjective

  1. relating to or characteristic of a father, esp in showing affection, encouragement, etc; fatherly
  2. prenominal related through the father

    his paternal grandfather

  3. inherited or derived from the male parent
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • 貹ˈٱԲ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • 貹·ٱn· adverb
  • ԴDzp·ٱn adjective
  • non貹·ٱn· adverb
  • ܲp·ٱn adjective
  • un貹·ٱn· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of paternal1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Old French paternel, from Late Latin 貹ٱ, equivalent to Latin patern(us) “paternal” ( pater father + -nus adjective suffix) + - -al 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of paternal1

C17: from Late Latin 貹ٱ, from Latin pater father
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Sherlock and Daughter,” a paternal twist on the Holmes legend and a new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “Towards Zero” debut on the CW and BritBox, respectively.

From

He doesn’t buy the paternity story, though, as things go on, he will become, in his Holmesian way, paternal: “It’s odd how concern for your safety affects my concentration.”

From

Luke Emerton found that a number of women on the paternal side had died from breast cancer at a young age - including Hannah's grandmother.

From

The actor-singer, whose mother is of Italian descent, said it took 17 years for her paternal grandparents to get citizenship.

From

Ms Kelly said she had believed it was in the boys' "best interests" that they got to know their paternal relatives.

From

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paterfamiliaspaternalism