fatherly adj 1: like or befitting a father or fatherhood; kind and protective [syn: {fatherly}, {fatherlike}]
Fatherly \Fa"ther*ly\, a. 1. Like a father in affection and care; paternal; tender; protecting; careful. [1913 Webster] You have showed a tender, fatherly regard. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Of or pertaining to a father. [1913 Webster]
28 Moby Thesaurus words for "fatherly": affectionate, amiable, ancestorial, ancestral, benevolent, benign, caring, fatherlike, friendly, grandfatherly, grandmotherly, grandparental, indulgent, kind, kindly, maternal, mother, motherlike, motherly, parent, parental, paternal, patriarchal, protective, sympathetic, understanding, warm, well-meaning