Origin: bef. 1000; ME
faderly, OE
fæderlic. See father, -ly 
Related forms: fa⋅ther⋅li⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:
1. Fatherly, paternal refer to the relationship of a male parent to his children. Fatherly has emotional connotations; it always suggests a kind, protective, tender, or forbearing attitude: fatherly advice. Paternal may suggest a kindly, proprietary attitude: paternal interest; but it may also be used objectively, as a legal and official term: his paternal grandmother; paternal estate.
[fah-th