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1. The state of being a father
   "tests were conducted to determine paternity"
    
2. The kinship relation between an offspring and the father
   - fatherhood
    
3. The act of initiating a new idea, theory or writing
   "the paternity of the theory is disputed";
   - authorship

Derived forms: paternities

Type of: creation, debut, entry, family relationship, first appearance, foundation, founding, initiation, innovation, instauration, institution, introduction, kinship, launching, origination, relationship, state, unveiling

Encyclopedia: Paternity