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, nounWords nearby parent
Example sentences from the Web for parent
British Dictionary definitions for parent
parent
/ (ˈpɛərənt) /
noun
a father or mother
a person acting as a father or mother; guardian
rare
an ancestor
a source or cause
- an organism or organization that has produced one or more organisms or organizations similar to itself
- (as modifier)a parent organism
physics chem
- a precursor, such as a nucleus or compound, of a derived entity
- (as modifier)a parent nucleus; a parent ion
Derived forms of parent
parenthood, nounWord Origin for parent
C15: via Old French from Latin
parens parent, from
parere to bring forth
Medical definitions for parent
parent
[ pâr′ənt ]
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.