one who has begotten a child, whether son or daughter; a generator; a male parent.-a male ancestor more remote than a parent; a progenitor; especially, a first ancestor; a founder of a race or family; -- in the plural, fathers, ancestors.-one who performs the offices of a parent by maintenance, affetionate care, counsel, or protection.-a respectful mode of address to an old man.-a senator of ancient rome.-a dignitary of the church, a superior of a convent, a confessor (called also father confessor), or a priest; also, the eldest member of a profession, or of a legislative assembly, etc.-one of the chief esslesiastical authorities of the first centuries after christ; -- often spoken of collectively as the fathers; as, the latin, greek, or apostolic fathers.-one who, or that which, gives origin; an originator; a producer, author, or contriver; the first to practice any art, profession, or occupation; a distinguished example or teacher.-the supreme being and creator; god; in theology, the first person in the trinity.-to make one's self the father of; to beget.-to take as one's own child; to adopt; hence, to assume as one's own work; to acknowledge one's self author of or responsible for (a statement, policy, etc.).-to provide with a father.