Paternal \Pa*ter"nal\, a. [L. paternus, fr. pater a father: cf.
   F. paternel. See Father.]
   1. Of or pertaining to a father; fatherly; showing the
      disposition of a father; guiding or instructing as a
      father; as, paternal care. "Under paternal rule."
      --Milton.
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   2. Received or derived from a father; hereditary; as, a
      paternal estate.
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            Their small paternal field of corn.   --Dryden.
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   Paternal government (Polit. Science), the assumption by the
      governing power of a quasi-fatherly relation to the
      people, involving strict and intimate supervision of their
      business and social concerns, upon the theory that they
      are incapable of managing their own affairs.
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