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prettygoodwordpaternity (puh-TUR-ni-tee) - n., the state of being a father, fatherhood; descent, derivation, or inheritance from a father; (fig.) origin or authorship.
That maternity is not used for that last sense is yet another instance of how deeply patriarchal our culture has been (and still is). Adopted in 1449 from Latin paternitās, from pater, father -- originally in an ecclesiastic sense of a priest, the literal sense being first recorded in 1582.
Admin note: I'm dropping offline for a couple months of paternity leave. Back to regular posting when life settles a bit.
---L.
That maternity is not used for that last sense is yet another instance of how deeply patriarchal our culture has been (and still is). Adopted in 1449 from Latin paternitās, from pater, father -- originally in an ecclesiastic sense of a priest, the literal sense being first recorded in 1582.
Admin note: I'm dropping offline for a couple months of paternity leave. Back to regular posting when life settles a bit.
---L.
