GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found one definition

1.       
   Paternity (?), n. [L. paternitas: cf. F. paternité. See Paternal.]
   1. The relation of a father to his child; fathership; fatherhood; family headship; as, “the divine paternity”.
   
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   The world, while it had scarcity of people, underwent no other dominion than paternity and eldership. Sir W. Raleigh.
   
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   2. Derivation or descent from a father; male parentage; as, “the paternity of a child”.
   
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   3. Origin; authorship.
   
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   The paternity of these novels was . . . disputed. Sir W. Scott.
   
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