— fatherliness , n.
/fah"dheuhr lee/ , adj.
1. of, like, or befitting a father.
adv.
2. Obs. in the manner of a father.
[ bef. 1000; ME faderly, OE faederlic. See FATHER, -LY ]
Syn. 1. FATHERLY, PATERNAL refer to the relationship of a male parent to his children. FATHERLY has emotional connotations; it always suggests a kind, protective, tender, or forbearing attitude: fatherly advice. PATERNAL may suggest a kindly, proprietary attitude: paternal interest; but it may also be used objectively, as a legal and official term: his paternal grandmother; paternal estate.