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Where does the word "paternal" come from? It comes from Latin paternus, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
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Where does the word "paternal" come from? It comes from Latin paternus, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Paternal’s story begins in Latin: paternus meant “relating to a father.” Relating to a father, from pater (father). It reached English by 1400s as paternal. Settled as the English word for relating to a father. Today, paternal means relating to a father, or characteristic of a father's care.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient paternus "relating to a father", relating to a father, from pater (father).
- Stage 2 · English · 1400s paternal "relating to a father, or fatherly", settled as the English word for relating to a father.