ETYM Old Eng. fader, AS. faeder; akin to OS. fadar, Dutch vader, Old High Germ. fatar, German vater, Icel. fathir Swed. and Dan. fader, OIr. athir, Latin pater, Greek pathr, Skr. pitr, perh. from Skr. pâ protect. Related to Papa, Paternal, Patriot, Potential, Pablum.
1. A male parent (also used as a term of address to one's father); SYN. male parent, begetter.
2. A person who holds an important or distinguished position in some organization.

1. God when considered as the first person in the Trinity; Also called: Father-God.
2. 'Father' is a term of address for priests in some churches (especially Roman or Orthodox Catholic); 'Padre' is frequently used in the military; Also called: Padre.

See generation (definition 1).

1. To make one's self the father of; to beget.
2. To take as one's own child; to adopt; hence, to assume as one's own work; to acknowledge oneself author of or responsible for (a statement, policy, etc.).
3. To provide with a father.