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Antonyms for father

Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : fah-th er
Phonetic Transcription : ˈfɑ ðər

Definition of father

Origin :
  • Old English fæder "father, male ancestor," from Proto-Germanic *fader (cf. Old Saxon fadar, Old Frisian feder, Dutch vader, Old Norse faðir, Old High German fater, German vater), from PIE *pÉ™ter (cf. Sanskrit pitar-, Greek pater, Latin pater, Old Persian pita, Old Irish athir "father"), presumably from baby-speak sound like pa.
  • The classic example of Grimm's Law, where PIE "p-" becomes Germanic "f-." Spelling with -th- (15c.) reflects widespread phonetic shift in Middle English that turned -der to -ther in many words; spelling caught up to pronunciation in 1500s (cf. burden, murder).
  • noun male person who begets children
  • noun priest
  • verb sire
Example sentences :
  • Do you mean that my father was mixed up like those old Indians?
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • When he came, Paralus looked upon him with a smile of recognition, and said, "My father!"
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • The Milbreys, father and son, came up and greeted the group on the piazza.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "In truth, my father, I wished to avoid the pain of parting," rejoined Philæmon.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • For some time after the interview with his father, Paralus remained very wakeful.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Unlike Mlle. Higbee, she has not the father from Chicago nor elsewhere.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Ask the young noble, who has been to him as a father; and his response will be 'Anaxagoras.'
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Her father rode by her side, and a numerous train of attendants followed.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • His spirit yearned after his father, and his heart was sick for his forest home.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • "I told your father that this morning," and he resumed his writing.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

Synonyms for father

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019