Pa‐ter″ni‐ty (?), n. [L. paternitas: cf. F. paternité. See Paternal.] 1. The relation of a father to his child; fathership; fatherhood; family headship; as, the divine paternity.
The world, while it had scarcity of people, underwent no other dominion than paternity and eldership. Sir W. Raleigh.
2. Derivation or descent from a father; male parentage; as, the paternity of a child.
3. Origin; authorship.
The paternity of these novels was... disputed. Sir W. Scott.