noun
paternity
puh-TUR-nih-tee
noun
1
The state of being a father, especially the legal or biological fact of fatherhood.
"A DNA test confirmed his paternity of the child."
2
Time off work granted to a new father.
"He took two weeks of paternity leave after the baby was born."
How to Use Paternity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFatherhood — being confirmed as, or acting as, a child's father.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
paternity test
paternity leave
paternity suit
Word Forms
paternities plural
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A DNA test confirmed his _____ of the child.
Etymology
From Latin paternitas, "fatherhood," from pater, "father."