Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Word of the Day

agnate \ag-neyt\,
noun:
1. A relative whose connection is traceable exclusively through males.
2. Any male relation on the father's side.
adjective:
1. Related or akin through males or on the father's side.
2. Allied or akin.

It was considered abomination; no agnate gives up its infant kin in Igboland, no matter the crime. -- M. O. Ené, "Blighted Blues"

His uncle in the third segment was the only other agnate who shared patriotic sentiments with Yat-Kuan. -- Saikaku Ihara, "Tales of Japanese Justice"

Agnate is derived from the Latin word agnātus which referred to paternal kinsmen.

Dictionary.com