paternal

SEE DEFINITION OF paternal

adj.fatherly

Synonyms for paternal

MOST RELEVANT

Antonyms for paternal

maternal

fatherlike

adjective. fatherly

fatherly

adverb. parently

hereditary

adjective. inherited; transmitted at birth

male

adjective. masculine

parental

adjective. having the quality or nature of a parent

Word Origin & History

early 15c., from Old French paternal "of a father" (12c.), from Medieval Latin paternalis, from Latin paternus "of a father, fatherly," from pater (see father (n.)).

Example Sentences forpaternal

He gazes at me, as if he were about to utter a word of paternal advice.

I demurred—I had got the paternal injunction to remain with the horse and cart.

Do you watch over their conduct with a vigilant and paternal eye?

He spoke with a sort of almost tender and paternal gentleness.

He has none but what is received from royal and paternal munificence and bounty.

Paternal grossness was attenuated by the maternal influence.

“Ranks” was purely a paternal heirloom and of no consequence at all.

Her father sprang to meet her with an unusual display of paternal tenderness.

This little run would be her first flutter from the paternal nest.

An epidemic has prevailed at Urbino, and has entered your paternal dwelling.