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paterno

paternal, fatherly

adjective pah-TER-noh Rare
People & Society Family

Origin: From Latin 'paternus', from 'pater' (father).

Usage Note

Paterno describes both a legal/biological relationship (nonno paterno, paternal grandfather) and a caring, fatherly attitude (un tono paterno, a fatherly tone). Its counterpart is materno (maternal). Feminine: paterna; plural: paterni/paterne. Note that paterno does not mean 'patron-like' — that would be paternalistico.

Examples

"Mio nonno paterno era un falegname."

Natural Translation

My paternal grandfather was a carpenter.

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