I. -lē, -li adjective
Etymology: Middle English faderly, from Old English fæderlīc, from fæder + -līc -ly
1. : of, belonging to, befitting, or proper to a father
unwilling to take on fatherly responsibilities
gave fatherly counsel to the boy in the absence of a parent
2. : like a father in affection, care, feeling, or conduct : paternally kind, solicitous, or benign : paternal
placed a fatherly hand on his head and wished him well in his new venture
noted for his fatherly concern for the welfare of his company's employees — Current Biography
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English faderly, from Old English fæderlīce, from fæderlīc, adjective
obsolete : in a fatherly manner