'Paternity' definitions:

Definition of 'paternity'

(from WordNet)
noun
The state of being a father; "tests were conducted to determine paternity"
noun
The kinship relation between an offspring and the father [syn: fatherhood, paternity]
noun
The act of initiating a new idea or theory or writing; "the authorship of the theory is disputed" [syn: authorship, paternity]

Definition of 'Paternity'

From: GCIDE
  • Paternity \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. [1913 Webster]
  • The world, while it had scarcity of people, underwent no other dominion than paternity and eldership. --Sir W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Derivation or descent from a father; male parentage; as, the paternity of a child. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Origin; authorship. [1913 Webster]
  • The paternity of these novels was . . . disputed. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'paternity'

From: Moby Thesaurus