1pa·ter·ni·ty 
/pəˈtɚnəti/ noun
/pəˈtɚnəti/ noun [noncount] formal : the state or fact of being the father of a particular child
▪ He acknowledged paternity of her child. [=he admitted that he was the father of her child] ▪ The child's paternity was in question. [=people questioned who the child's father was] — compare maternity
▪ He acknowledged paternity of her child. [=he admitted that he was the father of her child] ▪ The child's paternity was in question. [=people questioned who the child's father was] — compare maternity
