- characteristic of or befitting a father; fatherly: a kind and paternal reprimand.
- of or relating to a father.
- related on the father's side: one's paternal grandfather.
- derived or inherited from a father: paternal traits.
- relating to or characteristic of a father, esp in showing affection, encouragement, etc; fatherly
- related through the father
- inherited or derived from the male parent
