paternels

Paternels is the masculine plural form of the French adjective paternel, meaning paternal or fatherly. It denotes things related to the father, fatherly qualities, or paternal authority. The feminine form is paternelle, and the feminine plural is paternelles. In French, the term is used to describe attributes, relations, or behaviors associated with a father or paternal role. As a stand-alone noun, paternels is uncommon; more often the sense is conveyed with phrases such as liens paternels, autorité paternelle, or amour paternel.

Etymology and usage: paternel derives from the Latin pater, father, through Old French. It is cognate with the English word paternal. In contemporary French, paternels functions primarily as an adjective modifying nouns, for example, "instincts paternels" (paternal instincts) or "responsabilités paternelles" (paternal responsibilities). In legal or sociological writing, related terms such as "pouvoir paternel" (paternal power/authority) or "autorité parentale" (parental authority) may be used, depending on context.

Context and notes: The term tends to appear in discussions of family, kinship, or child development, where distinctions between paternal and maternal roles are relevant. Because paternels is a grammatical form rather than a standalone concept in English, English-language texts usually translate it as "paternal" or use more specific phrases. In bilingual or translation work, paternels can appear in quoted French passages.

See also: paternal, paternity, patriarchy, patrilineal, parental authority.