paternity

[ puh-tur-ni-tee ]

noun

1. the state of being a father; fatherhood.
2. derivation or acquirement from a father.
3. origin or authorship.

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a legal dispute in which an unwed mother accuses a man of being the father of her child:

   a paternity suit.

paternity

/ pəˈtɜːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. 1. the fact or state of being a father
   2. ( as modifier )

      a paternity suit was filed against the man

2. descent or derivation from a father
3. authorship or origin

   the paternity of the theory is disputed

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternity¹

1400–50; late Middle English paternite < Late Latin paternitās. See paternal, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternity¹

C15: from Late Latin paternitās, from Latin pater father

Example Sentences

Some seventy-plus countries currently offer some paternity leave or parental leave days reserved for the father.

From The Daily Beast

Certainly paid paternity leave is part of it (and in the U.S., we need paid maternity and paternity leave).

From The Daily Beast

She refused to take a paternity test, and was eventually convicted of extortion and sentenced to 22 months in prison.

From The Daily Beast

This recognized family rights when paternity is established, whether a child was born in or out of wedlock.

From The Daily Beast

In 2010, the ‘Good Wife’ star received some shocking news about his paternity.

From The Daily Beast

Moreover, women were proud of the paternity of their children begotten in their relationship to the friars.

From Project Gutenberg

He bore himself, this husband of Jane's, with an air of triumphant paternity, as if (Tanqueray reflected) he had had a hand in it.

From Project Gutenberg

In short, in this instance, your paternity renders you all the more proud from the fact that it is incontestable, my dear sir!

From Project Gutenberg

Even the planets and their moons do not represent the Sun's complete paternity.

From Project Gutenberg

Scandal accused her of a prodigality of favours which must have rendered the paternity of Don John very dubious.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• authority
• cause
• expert
• origin