noun

1. a man who has begotten a child; esp., a man as he is related to his child or children
2. 1. a stepfather
   2. an adoptive father
   3. a father-in-law
3. the male parent of a plant or animal
4. a person regarded as a male parent; protector
5. God, or God as the first person in the Trinity
6. a forefather; ancestor: usually used in pl.
7. an originator, founder, or inventor
8. any man deserving of respect or reverence because of age, position, etc.
9. a senator of ancient Rome
10. any of the leaders of a city, assembly, etc.: usually used in pl.
11. any of the early Christian religious writers considered reliable authorities on the doctrines and teachings of the Church
12. a Christian priest: used esp. as a title

Etymology: ME fader < OE fæder, akin to ON fathir, OHG fater, Goth fadar < IE *pətḗr > L pater, Gr patēr, Sans pitár: ult. origin prob. echoic of baby talk, as in papa, Hindi bābū

transitive verb

1. to be the father of; beget
2. to look after or care for as a father does
3. to bring into being; found, originate, or invent
4. to take the responsibility for
5. to impose improperly as a responsibility; foist the mistake was fathered on him