agnate

American  

[ag-neyt] / ˈæg neɪt /

noun

1. a relative whose connection is traceable exclusively through males.

2. any male relation on the father's side.

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adjective

1. related or akin through males or on the father's side.

2. allied or akin.

agnate British  

/ ˈæɡneɪt, æɡˈnætɪk /

adjective

1. related by descent from a common male ancestor

2. related in any way; cognate

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noun

1. a male or female descendant by male links from a common male ancestor

Other Word Forms

• agnatic adjective
• agnatical adjective
• agnatically adverb
• agnation noun

Etymology

Origin of agnate

First recorded in 1450–1500; from Latin agnātus “paternal kinsman,” variant of ad(g)nātus “born to” (past participle of adgnāscī ), equivalent to ad- ad- + -gnā “be born” + -tus past participle suffix

Explanation

An agnate is a relative on your father's side of the family. Your father's parents are your agnate grandparents. Agnate refers to relatives connected to you directly through your father, such as your father's parents or his siblings. The term comes from the Latin word agnatus, which means "born from the same father." Historically, agnate relationships were significant in determining inheritance and family roles. Today, understanding who your agnate relatives are can help you learn more about your family's history and how different branches of your family tree connect.

Example Sentences

The land through which she guides us is flavid, agnate, calcined, karsty.

From The New Yorker • May 9, 2016

The grand duchy, being hereditary only in the male line, passed to the nearest agnate, the duke of Nassau.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 5 "Hinduism" to "Home, Earls of" by Various

When the father died, the nearest male of kin, even though declared unqualified as an agnate, came in as guardian.

From Woman under socialism by De Leon, Daniel

Adj. related, akin, consanguineous, of the blood, family, allied, collateral; cognate, agnate, connate; kindred; affiliated; fraternal. <— p.

From Roget's Thesaurus by Roget, Peter Mark

Failing an agnate, a member of the gens of the dead man is to inherit.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various