pa·ter·nal·is·m /pəˈtɜːnəl-ɪzəm $ -ɜːr-/ noun [uncountableU] PGSSOwhen people in charge of an organization or society protect the members and give them what they need but do not allow them any freedom or responsibility 家长式统治[管理] —paternalistic /pəˌtɜːnəlˈɪstɪk◂ $ -ɜːr-/ (also paternalist /pəˈtɜːnəlɪst $ -ɜːr-/) adjectiveadj