I. ˌpa.trəˈnimik, -mēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin patronymicum, from neuter of patronymicus of a patronymic, from Greek patronymikos, from patronymia patronymic (from patr- + -onyma name + -ia -y) + -ikos -ic
1. : a name derived from that of the father or a paternal ancestor usually by the addition of a prefix or suffix (as in MacDonald, son of Donald, or Ivanovich, son of Ivan) — contrasted with matronymic ; compare teknonymy
2. : a patrilineal surname or family name
II. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
also pat·ro·nym·i·cal -mə̇kəl
Etymology: patronymic from Late Latin patronymicus; patronymical from Late Latin patronymicus + English -al
: of, relating to, or constituting a patronymic
• pat·ro·nym·i·cal·ly -mə̇k(ə)lē adverb