26984 words

paternal

4 definitions • 6 examples
1
typical of or like a father, especially a kind father:

Examples:

He's very paternal with the baby.
paternal authority
2
coming from or relating to someone's father or his side of the family:

Examples:

My paternal grandparents (= my father's parents) were Irish.
A general mixing of maternal and paternal genes occurs at conception.
3
behaving or feeling as a father does toward his child:

Examples:

His father gave him a good-humored, paternal smile.
4
Paternal also means related by way of the father:

Examples:

paternal grandparents

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