paternal

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective belonging to or inherited from one's father
  2. adjective characteristic of a father
  3. adjective relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent

Etymology

From Old French paternal (“of a father”) (12th c.), from Vulgar Latin paternālis (“paternal”), from Latin paternus (“of or pertaining to a father, paternal”), from pater (“father”).

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