Chapter Fatal to Fatiscence of F by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

archbishops and metropolitans, as to the archbishops of Canterbury and York. —

Natural father, the father of an illegitimate child. — Putative father, one who is presumed to be the father of an illegitimate child; the supposed father. — Spiritual father. (a) A religious teacher or guide, esp. one instrumental in leading a soul to God. (b) (R. C. Ch.) A priest who hears confession in the sacrament of penance. — The Holy Father (R. C. Ch.), the pope.

Father
(Fa"ther) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fathered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Fathering.]

1. To make one's self the father of; to beget.

Cowards father cowards, and base things sire base.

Shak.

2. 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

Men of wit
Often fathered what he writ.

Swift.

3. To provide with a father. [R.]

Think you I am no stronger than my sex,
Being so fathered and so husbanded ?

Shak.

To father onor upon, to ascribe to, or charge upon, as one's offspring or work; to put or lay upon as being responsible. "Nothing can be so uncouth or extravagant, which may not be fathered on some fetch of wit, or some caprice of humor." Barrow.

Fatherhood
(Fa"ther*hood) n. The state of being a father; the character or authority of a father; paternity.

Father-in-law
(Fa"ther-in-law`) n.; pl. Fathers-in-law The father of one's husband or wife; — correlative to son-in-law and daughter- in-law.

A man who marries a woman having children already, is sometimes, though erroneously, called their father-in-law.

Fatherland
(Fa"ther*land") n. [Imitated fr. D. vaderland. See Father, and Land.] One's native land; the native land of one's fathers or ancestors.

Father-lasher
(Fa"ther-lash`er) n. (Zoöl.) A European marine fish (Cottus bubalis), allied to the sculpin; — called also lucky proach.

Fatherless
(Fa"ther*less), a.

1. Destitute of a living father; as, a fatherless child.

2. Without a known author. Beau. & Fl.

Fatherlessness
(Fa"ther*less*ness), n. The state of being without a father.

Fatherliness
(Fa"ther*li*ness) n. [From Fatherly.] The qualities of a father; parantal kindness, care, etc.

Father longlegs
(Fa"ther long"legs`) (Zoöl.) See Daddy longlegs, 2.

Fatherly
(Fa"ther*ly), a.

1. Like a father in affection and care; paternal; tender; protecting; careful.

You have showed a tender, fatherly regard.

Shak.