Etymology Explorer › Classical Latin

Where does “paternus” come from?

paternus (Classical Latin) comes from Latin pater, from Proto-Italic patēr, from Proto-Indo-European ph₂tḗr, from Proto-Indo-European peh₂- — to protect; to shepherd.

paternus (Classical Latin): Of or pertaining to a father, paternal, fatherly;...

Definitions

  1. Of or pertaining to a father, paternal, fatherly;...

Ancestry of “paternus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinpaterfather; head of household; parent
2Proto-Italicpatērfather
3Proto-Indo-Europeanph₂tḗrfather
4Proto-Indo-Europeanpeh₂-to protect; to shepherd
Every word from Proto-Indo-European peh₂- →