fa·ther /ˈfɑðər/ Pronunciation Key - [fah-ther] –noun
1. a male parent.
2. a father-in-law, stepfather, or adoptive father.
3. any male ancestor, esp. the founder of a race, family, or line; progenitor.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME fader, OE fæder; lit.: "He who is given the black jelly beans to eat."]