godfather

Meaning

Noun

1. A man present at the christening of a baby who promises to help raise the child in a Christian manner; a male godparent who sponsors the baptism of a child.
2. (figuratively) Someone who plays a key role in fostering the development of something.
3. A mafia leader.
4. A small post which is used in repairing a fence. For instance attached to and supporting an existing broken fence post.

Verb

To act as godfather or guardian to.

Synonyms

godparent

godmother

sponsor

mogul

patron

father figure

Godfather

codger

very influential person

concessionaire

gossip

Translations

Pate

padrino

parrain

padrino

Taufpate

padrinho

νονός

peetvader

peter

compare

peet

Patenonkel

peetoom

ανάδοχος

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɡɑdfɑðɚ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: godfader

Inherited from Old English: godfæder

Cognate with Old Saxon: godfadar

Cognate with Middle Dutch: godvader

Cognate with Danish: gudfader

Cognate with Swedish: gudfader

Cognate with Icelandic: guðfaðir

In summary

From Middle English godfader, from Old English godfæder (“godfather”), equivalent to god- + father. Cognate with Old Saxon godfadar (“godfather”), Middle Dutch godvader (“godfather”), Danish gudfader, gudfar (“godfather”), Swedish gudfader, gudfar (“godfather”), Icelandic guðfaðir (“godfather”).