Definition of "paternal"

paternal

/pəˈtɜː(ɹ)nəl/

adjective
comparative more paternal, superlative most paternal
1. Of or pertaining to one's father, his genes, his relatives, or his side of a family.
  Quotations
  It was with a natural touch of pride that Norbourne Courtenaye paced his paternal hall, while waiting for his uncle, with whom he was going to ride.
  1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Different Views of Youth and Age”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], page 93
2. Fatherly; behaving as or characteristic of a father.
3. Received or inherited from one's father.
  Quotations
  Thus, ere the ſeeds of vice were ſown, / Liv'd men in better ages born, / Who plow'd with oxen of their own / Their ſmall paternal field of corn.
  a. 1701 (date written), John Dryden, “The Second Epode of Horace”, in The Miscellaneous Works of John Dryden, […], volume II, London: […] J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson, […], published 1760, page 477
4. Acting as a father.