Fā'ther1, n.
n. [A-S. fæder, O. Sax., Sw., & Dan. fader, Icel. faðir, Goth. fadar, D. vader, O. H. Ger. fatar, N. H. Ger. vater, allied to Lat. pater, Gr. πατήρ, Per. padar, peder, Skr. pitri.]
Sense 1. One who has begotten a child, son or daughter; generator; next male ancestor; male parent.
A wise son maketh a glad father. Prov. x. 1.
Sense 2. A male ancestor more remote than a parent; a progenitor; especially, a first ancestor; founder of a race or family; — in the plural, fathers, ancestors.
David slept with his fathers. 1 Kings ii. 10.
Sense 3. He who performs the offices of a parent by maintenance, affectionate care, counsel, protection, or the like; he who is to be venerated for age, kindness, wisdom, &c. “And his servants . . . said, My father.” 2 Kings v. 13.
Sense 4. A senator of ancient Rome.
Sense 5. A dignitary of the Roman Catholic church, a superior of a convent, a confessor (called also father confessor), or a priest; also, a dignitary or elder clergyman in the Protestant church, as an archbishop, bishop, or pastor.
Bless you, good father friar! Shak.
Sense 6. One of the chief ecclesiastical authorities of the first centuries after Christ; — often spoken of collectively as the fathers; as, the Latin, Greek, or apostolic fathers.
Sense 7. One who gives origin; a producer, author, or contriver; the first of a series; a distinguished example or teacher.
Thou still hast been the father of good news. Shak.
Jubal; he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. Gen. iv. 21.
That he might be the father of all them that believe. Rom. iv. 11.
Sense 8. The Supreme Being; in theology, the first person in the Trinity.
Our Father, which art in heaven. Matt. vi. 9.
Now had the almighty Father from above Bent down his eye. Milton.
Apostolical father. See APOSTOLICAL. — Father of the bar, the oldest barrister. — Fathers of the city, the aldermen. — Father of the house, the member of a legislative body who has served longest.