GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found one definition

  1.       
    
    Paternal , a. [L. paternus, fr. pater a father: cf. F. paternel. See Father.]
    1. Of or pertaining to a father; fatherly; showing the disposition of a father; guiding or instructing as a father; as, paternal care. “Under paternal rule.”
      Milton.

      1913 Webster
    2. Received or derived from a father; hereditary; as, a paternal estate.
      1913 Webster

      Their small paternal field of corn.
      Dryden.

      1913 Webster

      Paternal government (Polit. Science), the assumption by the governing power of a quasi-fatherly relation to the people, involving strict and intimate supervision of their business and social concerns, upon the theory that they are incapable of managing their own affairs.

      1913 Webster