1. relating to or tracing descent through the male line only
Usage: legal; anthropological

Examples

• The agnatic succession system meant only male heirs could inherit the throne.
• In agnatic kinship systems, family lineage is traced exclusively through fathers.
• The law established agnatic inheritance rules for the royal family.
• Agnatic descent excludes relationships through female ancestors.
• The tribe followed agnatic principles when determining clan membership.
• Under agnatic succession, daughters were excluded from the line of inheritance.