Matrilateral
Patrilateral
Dictionary Home
AnthroBase Home
Bookmark, cite or print this page

"Patri-" is that which has to do with the father's side in a kinship system. "Matri-" alludes to that which has to do with the mother's side. While linear kin are counted "downward", by descent, through the kinship system (father-son-grandson), lateral kin are kinfolk "to the side" (siblings and affinals). (See matrilineal, patrilineal.)