What is the Feminine Gender of a Pater? (Pater Opposite Gender)

Pater vs. Mater: A Clear Comparison

This table explains these formal Latin terms for parents.

What is Pater?

Pater is the Latin word for father. It's not commonly used in everyday conversation but might be found in formal writing, historical contexts, or as the root of other English words.

What is Mater?

Mater is the feminine equivalent of Pater. It is the Latin word for mother.

Understanding Latin Roots

Even if we don't use 'Pater' and 'Mater' often, their Latin roots are very important in English. They form the base for many common words:

• From Pater (father), we get: paternal, paternity, patriarch.
• From Mater (mother), we get: maternal, maternity, matriarch.