Godfather
['gɒdfɑːθə] or ['ɡɑdfɑðɚ]
Definition
(noun.) someone having a relation analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild.
(noun.) any man who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism.
Typed by Deirdre--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A man who becomes sponsor for a child at baptism, and makes himself a surety for its Christian training and instruction.
(v. t.) To act as godfather to; to take under one's fostering care.
Typist: Malcolm
Examples
- He has also consulted Mr. Bell--Frederick's godfather, you know, mamma; and it is arranged that we go to live in Milton-Northern. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Godfather and godson do credit to one another. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He hung fondly by his godfather's side, and it was his delight to walk in the parks and hear Dobbin talk. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I'm George's godfather, and just come back from India. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- His daughter married a member of Parliament, and the Bishop of Carlisle stood godfather to one of the children. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- William was the godfather of the child, and exerted his ingenuity in the purchase of cups, spoons, pap-boats, and corals for this little Christian. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Frederick's godfather--your old tutor at Oxford, don't you mean? Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- If it's any advantage to your charming godchild--and oh, a precious godfather she has got! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Emanuel is her guardian; some say her godfather. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Nobody got into the prison from whom he derived anything useful or good, and she could find no patron for him but her old friend and godfather. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- When he started up, the Godfather Break of Day was peeping at its namesake. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- With a returning suspicion that something might have betrayed him to her, he answered, interrogatively, 'My godfathers and my godmothers, dear love? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Marian was our boy's godmother, and Pesca and Mr. Gilmore (the latter acting by proxy) were his godfathers. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- On either side rode Conrade of Mont-Fitchet, and Albert de Malvoisin, who acted as godfathers to the champion. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Typist: Nelly