/pəˈtɜ:nəlɪzəm ||; pəˈtɝnḷˌɪzəm/noun [U] (technical术语) the system in which a government or an employer protects the people who are governed or employed by providing them with what they need, but does not give them any responsibility or freedom of choice 家长式管理制度 ➔paternalistic /pəˌtɜ:nəˈlɪstɪk ||; pəˌtɝnḷˈɪstɪk/(also paternalist) adj a paternalistic employer/state 家长式雇主；家长式统治的国家