Pa*ter"ni*ty (?), n. [L. paternitas: cf. F. paternit'e. See Paternal.]

1.

The relation of a father to his child; fathership; fatherhood; family headship; as, the divine paternity.

The world, while it had scarcity of people, underwent no other dominion than paternity and eldership. Sir W. Raleigh.

2.

Derivation or descent from a father; male parentage; as, the paternity of a child.

3.

Origin; authorship.

The paternity of these novels was . . . disputed. Sir W. Scott.

© Webster 1913.