adj.
Pronunciation: ' fä- th ə r-l ē
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 : of, relating to, or befitting a father < fatherly responsibilities>
2 : resembling a father (as in affection or care) <a fatherly old man>
– fa · ther · li · ness \ -l ē -n ə s \ noun
– fatherly adverb