paternal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective belonging to or inherited from one's father
    • spent his childhood on the paternal farm
    • paternal traits
  2. adjective characteristic of a father
  3. adjective relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent
    maternal; parental.
    • parental guidance
  4. adjective satellite related on the father's side
    agnate; agnatic.
    • a paternal aunt

WordNet

Pa*ter"nal adjective
Etymology
L. paternus, fr. pater a father: cf. F. paternel. See Father.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a father; fatherly; showing the disposition of a father; guiding or instructing as a father; as, paternal care. "Under paternal rule." Milton.
  2. Received or derived from a father; hereditary; as, a paternal estate.
    Their small paternal field of corn. Dryden.

Webster 1913