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. [ 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 ]