PATERNITY

paternity. Paternity, n. fathersip, the relation of a father

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