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 /

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

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

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

Explanation

An agnate is a relative on your father's side of the family. Your father's parents are your agnate grandparents. Agnate refers to relatives connected to you directly through your father, such as your father's parents or his siblings. The term comes from the Latin word agnatus, which means "born from the same father." Historically, agnate relationships were significant in determining inheritance and family roles. Today, understanding who your agnate relatives are can help you learn more about your family's history and how different branches of your family tree connect.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

agnate

The land through which she guides us is flavid, agnate, calcined, karsty.

From The New Yorker ● May 9, 2016

Thus the son of your father's sister is no agnate of yours, but merely your cognate, and vice versa; for children are member's of their father's family, and not of your mother's.

From The Institutes of Justinian by John Baron Moyle

Similarly, in Athens, did Solon decree that an heiress had to marry her nearest male agnate, even though both belonged to the same gens, and, according to former law, such a marriage was forbidden.

From Woman under socialism by Daniel De Leon

In Korea, for instance, he can only adopt an agnate and one of a lower generation than his own.

From The Soul of the Far East by Percival Lowell

So, too, if your brother, or your paternal uncle, or even a more remote agnate, adopts any one, that person undoubtedly becomes one of your agnates.

From The Institutes of Justinian by John Baron Moyle