paternity

English

Etymology

From Middle French paternité, from Old French, from Latin paternitās (“paternity”), from paternus (“of or pertaining to a father, paternal”) + -itās, from pater (“father”).

Noun

paternity (countable and uncountable, plural paternities)

1. fatherhood, being a father
2. parental descent from a father
3. (law) legal acknowledgement of a man's fatherhood of a child
4. (figuratively) authorship

Related terms

• paternity leave
• paternity suit
• paternity test

Translations

fatherhood — see fatherhood

parental descent from father's side

• Latin: paternitās f

See also

• affiliation
• maternity