paternalistic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of, pertaining to, characteristic of or practicing paternalism

   With a scanty supply of laws in Hellenic commonwealths or city states what an immense vista for an Aristotle, of that grand, complex, efficient machinery of law, turning out yearly thousands of laws and taboos for the paternalistic control and alleged welfare of the citizen!

2. 2
   adj

   benevolent but sometimes intrusive

3. 3
   adj

   the quality of being paternal, i.e. like a father, e.g. characterized by behaving in a benevolent yet intrusive manner towards underlings

Etymology

From paternal + -istic.