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PATERNAL
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent
Example:
parental guidance
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Sense 2
Meaning:
Characteristic of a father
Classified under:
Similar:
fatherlike; fatherly (like or befitting a father or fatherhood; kind and protective)
paternalistic (benevolent but sometimes intrusive)
Also:
patriarchal (characteristic of a form of social organization in which the male is the family head and title is traced through the male line)
Attribute:
fatherliness; paternal quality (the benignity and protectiveness of or befitting a father)
Antonym:
maternal (characteristic of a mother)
Derivation:
paternity (the state of being a father)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Related on the father's side
Example:
a paternal aunt
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
related (connected by kinship, common origin, or marriage)
Derivation:
paternity (the kinship relation between an offspring and the father)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Belonging to or inherited from one's father
Example:
paternal traits
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Pertainym:
father (a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father))
Context examples:
He beamed at us with the old paternal smile, but European science would have been somewhat amazed could they have seen their chosen child, the hope of the future, with his tangled, unkempt head, his bare chest, and his tattered clothes.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
His letters were to be forwarded to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be better in every way that they should make their position a little clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in particular.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Rising in no very good humor at the interruption, he gave the word to enter; but his look of impatience softened down into a pleasant and paternal smile as his eyes fell upon his visitor.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
He bore it very patiently for six months, and when no signs of amendment appeared, he did what other paternal exiles do—tried to get a little comfort elsewhere.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
She thanked him for his great attention, his paternal kindness, but he was quite mistaken in supposing she had the smallest desire of breaking through her engagement, or was sensible of any change of opinion or inclination since her forming it.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
"Me loves Parpar," said the artful one, preparing to climb the paternal knee and revel in forbidden joys.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Mamma was an abject slave to their caprices, but Papa was not so easily subjugated, and occasionally afflicted his tender spouse by an attempt at paternal discipline with his obstreperous son.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The children throve under the paternal rule, for accurate, steadfast John brought order and obedience into Babydom, while Meg recovered her spirits and composed her nerves by plenty of wholesome exercise, a little pleasure, and much confidential conversation with her sensible husband.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The first few months were very happy ones, and Beth often used to look round, and say How beautiful this is! as they all sat together in her sunny room, the babies kicking and crowing on the floor, mother and sisters working near, and father reading, in his pleasant voice, from the wise old books which seemed rich in good and comfortable words, as applicable now as when written centuries ago, a little chapel, where a paternal priest taught his flock the hard lessons all must learn, trying to show them that hope can comfort love, and faith make resignation possible.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
There were to be no ceremonious performances, everything was to be as natural and homelike as possible, so when Aunt March arrived, she was scandalized to see the bride come running to welcome and lead her in, to find the bridegroom fastening up a garland that had fallen down, and to catch a glimpse of the paternal minister marching upstairs with a grave countenance and a wine bottle under each arm.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
