agnate

American  

[ag-neyt] / ˈæg neɪt /

noun

1. a relative whose connection is traceable exclusively through males.

2. any male relation on the father's side.

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adjective

1. related or akin through males or on the father's side.

2. allied or akin.

agnate British  

/ ˈæɡneɪt, æɡˈnætɪk /

adjective

1. related by descent from a common male ancestor

2. related in any way; cognate

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noun

1. a male or female descendant by male links from a common male ancestor

Other Word Forms

• agnatic adjective
• agnatical adjective
• agnatically adverb
• agnation noun

Etymology

Origin of agnate

First recorded in 1450–1500; from Latin agnātus “paternal kinsman,” variant of ad(g)nātus “born to” (past participle of adgnāscī ), equivalent to ad- ad- + -gnā “be born” + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

Rather than writing that one thing is like another, she suggested, pupils might use “commensurate” or “agnate,” which means related through male descent or on the father’s side.

From The Wall Street Journal

The grand duchy, being hereditary only in the male line, passed to the nearest agnate, the duke of Nassau.

From Project Gutenberg

Assume more or less of a fictitious character, but congenial and agnate with the former.

From Project Gutenberg

Failing an agnate, a member of the gens of the dead man is to inherit.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, magnetick mines are only agnate to the true earth, not innate: hence the whole globe does not regard them, and magneticks are not borne to them, as is demonstrated by the diagram of eminences.

From Project Gutenberg