patrilineal

[ pa-truh-lin-ee-uhl, pey- ]

adjective

1. inheriting or determining descent through the male line.

patrilineal

/ ˌpætrɪˈlɪnɪəl /

adjective

1. tracing descent, kinship, or title through the male line

patrilineal

1. Tracing kinship and descent through the male line. ( Compare matrilineal .)

Derived Forms

• ˌpatriˈlineally, adverb

Other Words From

• patri·line·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of patrilineal¹

First recorded in 1900–05; patri- + lineal

Example Sentences

This conclusion was reached after analysing twenty years of anthropological field data -- from contemporary non-warlike patrilineal groups, particularly from the scientists' own fieldwork carried out in Asia -- and modelling various socio-demographic scenarios.

From Science Daily

This allowed the reconstruction of several extensive pedigrees, revealing that the communities practised a strict patrilineal system of descent.

From Science Daily

The strict patrilineal system and marriages to nonlocal women seem to have helped the Avar avoid inbreeding: After analyzing the DNA of hundreds of people, the team found no examples of children born to close relatives or even to people separated by up to five degrees.

From Science Magazine

Yet, such techniques can be shallow and are often patrilineal, meaning that the women of the past are more prone to be forgotten than their partners.

From BBC

Ryu, the former North Korean diplomat, said a female heir is “unimaginable” for the Kim dynasty because it would deviate from the patrilineal succession of three generations.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• benevolent