In this one word substitution question, choose the single English word that can correctly replace the description "a child born after the death of the father".

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the topic of one word substitutions, where you are given a descriptive phrase and asked to choose a single word that accurately captures the entire description. Such questions are common in competitive exams because they test your vocabulary range and your familiarity with precise English terms used in formal and literary contexts.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The description given is "a child born after the death of the father".
• Four options are provided as possible one word substitutes.
• You must select the option that is accepted in standard English dictionaries for this specific situation.
• The context is neutral and formal, so the correct word will usually be one used in legal, social, or literary discussions.

Concept / Approach:
One word substitution questions check your ability to map a detailed definition to the exact word that represents it. The key is to identify the central concept in the description and match it to the technical or conventional term. Here the central idea is about something happening "after death". The term that English uses for events, publications, or recognitions that occur after a person has died is "posthumous". When it relates to a child, "posthumous child" means a child born after the father's death.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the essential idea in the description: the father has already died when the child is born.Step 2: Recall words connected with death and timing, such as "postmortem", "posthumous", and "premature".Step 3: Remember that "posthumous" is used for events happening after someone's death, for example a posthumous award or posthumous publication.Step 4: Check each option and test whether it fits the entire description, not just one part of it.Step 5: Confirm that "Posthumous" is the only option that precisely describes a child whose father has died before the child's birth.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify the choice, imagine a formal sentence: "He is a posthumous child". This is a common and correct expression in English. The meaning clearly matches the description. If you try inserting other options into the same sentence, the sentences either become incorrect or change the meaning entirely, which confirms that "Posthumous" is the right answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, "Post dated", is used for cheques or documents whose date has been set later than the actual date of signing. It has no connection with birth after a father's death. Option B, "Premature", means happening earlier than the expected time, as in a premature baby or premature decision, which is the exact opposite of "after death". Option C, "Paternal", simply means related to the father and does not imply the timing of birth relative to his death.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse "posthumous" with similar sounding words like "postmortem" or think that "paternal" must be correct because it refers to the father. However, you must match the full definition, including the timing "after the death of the father", not just the idea of fatherhood. Always be careful to read every word of the description before you choose the one word substitute.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Posthumous, because in English a posthumous child is a child born after the death of the father, which exactly matches the description given in the question.