Fatherhood
/ˈfɑːðərhʊd/noun
The state or condition of being a father.
Did you know?The ending -hood is an old English noun-forming suffix meaning “state, condition, or quality,” so fatherhood is literally the condition of being a father, not a separate ancient ritual term.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
fæder
“father”
Old English
OE
hād
“state, rank, condition”
Middle English
ME
faderhod
“fatherhood; paternal state”
Modern English
EN
fatherhood
“the state or role of being a father”
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