English

Adjective

paternalistic ‎(comparative more paternalistic, superlative most paternalistic)

1. the quality of being paternal, i.e. like a father, e.g. characterized by behaving in benevolent and yet intrusive manner towards underlings
2. of, pertaining to, characteristic of or practicing paternalism
   • 1919, Boris Sidis, The Source and Aim of Human Progress:

     With a scanty supply of laws in Hellenic commonwealths or city states what an immense vista for an Aristotle, of that grand, complex, efficient machinery of law, turning out yearly thousands of laws and taboos for the paternalistic control and alleged welfare of the citizen!

Anagrams

• antiparticles

References

• paternalistic in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• “paternalistic”, in OED Online, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.