parent

[ pair-uh nt, par- ]
/ ˈpɛər ənt, ˈpær- /

noun

adjective

being the original source: a parent organization.
Biology. pertaining to an organism, cell, or complex molecular structure that generates or produces another: parent cell; parent DNA.

verb (used with object)

to be or act as parent of: to parent children with both love and discipline.

Origin of parent

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Middle French) < Latin parent- (stem of parēns), noun use of present participle of parere to bring forth, breed

OTHER WORDS FROM parent

par·ent·less, adjective par·ent·like, adjective non·par·ent, noun

British Dictionary definitions for non-parent

parent
/ (ˈpɛərənt) /

noun

a father or mother
a person acting as a father or mother; guardian
rare an ancestor
a source or cause
  1. an organism or organization that has produced one or more organisms or organizations similar to itself
  2. (as modifier)a parent organism
physics chem
  1. a precursor, such as a nucleus or compound, of a derived entity
  2. (as modifier)a parent nucleus; a parent ion

Derived forms of parent

parenthood, noun

Word Origin for parent

C15: via Old French from Latin parens parent, from parere to bring forth

Medical definitions for non-parent

parent
[ pârənt ]

n.

One who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child; a father or mother.
An ancestor; a progenitor.
An organism that produces or generates offspring.

v.

To act as a parent to; to rear and nurture.
To cause to come into existence; to serve as a source for; originate.