n. [ LL. compaternitas, fr. compater godfather; com- + pater father. ] The relation of a godfather to a person. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
The relation of gossipred or compaternity by the canon law is a spiritual affinity. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n.;
n. See Pederero. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n.;
a. [ L. paternus, fr. pater a father: cf. F. paternel. See Father. ]
Their small paternal field of corn. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Paternal government (Polit. Science),
n. (Polit. Science) The theory or practice of paternal government. See
adj. Benevolent but sometimes intrusive; -- used often of governments and the administration of large organizations. See
adv. In a paternal manner. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. paternitas: cf. F. paternité. See Paternal. ]
The world, while it had scarcity of people, underwent no other dominion than paternity and eldership. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]
The paternity of these novels was . . . disputed. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L., Our Father. ]
Paternoster pump,
Paternoster wheel
Paternoster while,
n. [ Sp. aceituna zapatera. ] (Olive trade) A cured olive which has spoiled or is on the verge of decomposition; loosely, an olive defective because of bruises, wormholes, or the like. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]