PATERNAL • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Paternal

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/pətˈərnəl/ Listen

adjective

Paternal adj.

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."

Received or derived from a father; hereditary; as, a paternal estate. "Their small paternal field of corn."

Paternal government (Polit. Science), the assumption by the governing power of a quasi-fatherly relation to the people, involving strict and intimate supervision of their business and social concerns, upon the theory that they are incapable of managing their own affairs.

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Etymology of 'Paternal'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Paternal" Quotes from Famous Books

... modified it without offering rebuke. He seemed to give no preference to the society of any one of the three ladies, but most frequently attended Mrs. Harrington in her walks and rides. To Elsie he was reserved, almost paternal, and in his society the young girl would become grave, sometimes thoughtful, as if his presence depressed her ...

— A Noble Woman • Ann S. Stephens

... settlers," or to confine it to female emigrants, or such artificers as carpenters and masons.[215] Two hundred and sixty persons, in the Launceston district, repudiated the following passage of the petition:—"Your Majesty's humble petitioners most respectfully pray your Majesty to be pleased in your paternal goodness to remove from the colony of Van Diemen's Land the degradation and unspeakable evils to which it is subject on account of its ...

— The History of Tasmania , Volume II (of 2) • John West

... had been under intense [v]apprehensions concerning his son; but no sooner was he informed that Ivanhoe was in careful hands than paternal anxiety gave way anew to the feeling of injured pride and resentment at what he termed ...

— The Literary World Seventh Reader • Various

... where I heard that before. Oh, yes—a few minutes ago. My paternal parent said the ...

— Officer 666 • Barton W. Currie

... all events!" said Tom with an emphasis that made Nancy shiver lest the young man had come to Beulah with a view of taking up his residence in the paternal mansion. ...

— Mother Carey's Chickens • Kate Douglas Wiggin

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