filial /ˈfɪl.i.əl/ adjective3 •Pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter.The filial duty Ellesmere had paid to a father, who had no other claim to it than that he was his father, was now consoling to him [D'Alonville]; […] — 1794 •Respectful of the duties and attitudes of sons or daughters toward their parents.If the admonition [to the parent] does not take effect, the son will be more reverential and more filial; […] — 1885 •Of a generation or generations descending from a specific previous one. formsmore filial · most filial