paternal
adj. B2 Upper Intermediate US //pəˈtɝnəɫ// UK //pətˈɜːnəl// pa·ter·nal
adj. related to being a father or coming from the father's side of the family.
adj. relating to or characteristic of a father; inherited from or related through the male parent.
He felt a paternal urge to protect his younger brother.
She spent every summer visiting her paternal grandparents at their farm in the countryside.
The manager took a paternal interest in his employees' careers, often offering personal advice that went far beyond the requirements of their professional contracts.
From Old French paternal (“of a father”) (12th c.), from Vulgar Latin paternālis (“paternal”), from Latin paternus (“of or pertaining to a father, paternal”), from pater (“father”).
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; often contrasted with 'maternal'.