Definition of filial
1 : of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter filial obedience filial love
2 : having or assuming the relation of a child or offspring The new village has a filial relationship with the original settlement.
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Filial Has Familial Origins
Filial is descended from Latin filius, meaning "son," and filia, meaning "daughter," and in English (where it has been used since at least the 14th century) it has always applied to both sexes. The word has long carried the dutiful sense "owed to a parent by a child," as found in such phrases as "filial respect" and "filial piety." These days it can also be used more generally for any emotion or behavior of a child to a parent. You might suspect that filia is also the source of the word filly, meaning "a young female horse" or "a young girl," but it isn't. Rather, filly is from Old Norse fylja.
Origin and Etymology of filial
Middle English, from Late Latin filialis, from Latin filius son — more at feminine
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Anthropology Terms
FILIAL Defined for English Language Learners
filial
playDefinition of filial for English Language Learners
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: of or relating to a son or daughter : appropriate for a son or daughter
FILIAL Defined for Kids
filial
playDefinition of filial for Students
: relating to or suitable for a son or daughter filial affection
Learn More about filial
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Spanish Central: Translation of filial Nglish: Translation of filial for Spanish speakers
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