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

Words nearby parent

parenchymatous hemorrhage, parenchymatous keratitis, parenchymatous neuritis, parens, parens., parent, parent cell, parent company, parent compound, parent cyst, parent language

Example sentences from the Web for parentless

British Dictionary definitions for parentless (1 of 2)

parentless
/ (ˈpɛərəntˌlɪs) /

adjective

having no living parents; orphaned

British Dictionary definitions for parentless (2 of 2)

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 parentless

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.