Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Paternal
1.
Of or pertaining to a father; fatherly; showing the disposition of a father; guiding or instructing as a father;
“Under paternal rule.” as,
. paternal
careMilton.
2.
Received or derived from a father; hereditary;
as, a
. paternal
estateTheir small
paternal
field of corn. Dryden.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Paternal
PATERN'AL
,Adj.
1.
Pertaining to a father; fatherly; as paternal care of affection; paternal favor or admonition.2.
Derived from the father; hereditary; as a paternal estate.