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grandfather
The definition of a grandfather is the parent of either your mother or your father.
(noun)An example of a grandfather is your mom's dad.
To grandfather is defined as allow someone to continue to abide by old rules, even when new ones are passed.
(verb)An example of grandfather is when a town changes its zoning rules but allows a home to remain residential even though the area has been changed to commercial.
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See grandfather in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- the father of one's father or mother: also a term of respectful familiarity to any elderly man
- a male ancestor; forefather
transitive verb
Informal to exempt (an activity, practice, person, etc.) from a new law or regulation by or as by a grandfather clause (sense ): sometimes with in or into
See grandfather in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- The father of one's mother or father.
- A forefather; an ancestor.
To exempt (one involved in an activity or business) from new regulations: The new ordinance restricts the size of billboards, but it grandfathers those erected before 1997.
Origin:
Origin: V., from grandfather clause
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