paternity

[ puh-tur-ni-tee ]

noun

1. the state of being a father; fatherhood.
2. derivation or acquirement from a father.
3. origin or authorship.

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a legal dispute in which an unwed mother accuses a man of being the father of her child:

   a paternity suit.

paternity

/ pəˈtɜːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. 1. the fact or state of being a father
   2. ( as modifier )

      a paternity suit was filed against the man

2. descent or derivation from a father
3. authorship or origin

   the paternity of the theory is disputed

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternity¹

1400–50; late Middle English paternite < Late Latin paternitās. See paternal, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternity¹

C15: from Late Latin paternitās, from Latin pater father

Example Sentences

Those that experience pregnancy loss after 24 weeks, known as stillbirth, are entitled to statutory maternity or paternity leave and pay.

From BBC

Plus, when men do take time off to care for their children, it can be seen as weak — like when Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took paternity leave and was called a “loser.”

From Salon

Roughly 30,000 fathers or partners will be eligible for paternity leave as a result, while 1.5 million parents will have the right to unpaid leave from day one under the changes.

From BBC

Katz helped Rose through two divorces, an uncontested paternity suit filed by a woman claiming to have been his mistress, government liens, tax troubles and his unceasing clamor for reinstatement.

From Los Angeles Times

The district’s statement also said that the allegations had “revealed that paternity tests concluded that Graves had fathered a child with one of the students.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authority
• cause
• expert
• origin