Parentage

/ˈpɛrɪntɪdʒ/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The identity or origin of one's parents; the state of being related to one's ancestors.
Her parentage was traced back to a royal lineage.
Ancestry or lineage, especially considered from the standpoint of biological descent.
He was proud of his Italian parentage.
The socially recognized relationship between a child and their parents.
The legal documents confirmed her parentage and guardianship.

Etymology

Derived from Middle English, from the word 'parent' + '-age', denoting a state or condition.

Common Phrases and Expressions

of noble parentage
Referring to having noble or distinguished ancestry.
parentage test
A test to determine the parentage of a child.
unknown parentage
Lack of knowledge about one's ancestry or parental lineage.

Related Words

ancestor
A person from whom one is descended.
descendant
A person who is descended from a specific ancestor.
heritage
Property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance.

Slang Meanings

unknown origins
They adopted the child who came from unknown origins.
family tree
I need to fill out my family tree to understand my parentage better.