Dictionary 1. (a.) Like a father in affection and care; paternal; tender; protecting; careful.2. (a.) of or pertaining to a father. Thesaurus affectionate amiable ancestorial ancestral benevolent benign caring fatherlike friendly grandfatherly grandmotherly grandparental indulgent kind kindly maternal mother motherlike motherly parent parental paternal patriarchal protective sympathetic understanding warm well-meaning |