godfather

Meanings

Noun

• A man present at the christening of a baby who promises to help raise the child in a Christian manner; a male godparent who sponsors the baptism of a child.
• A small post which is used in repairing a fence. For instance attached to and supporting an existing broken fence post.
• A mafia leader.

Verb

• To act as godfather or guardian to.

Related

Broader meaning words

• godparent

Origin

• From Middle English godfader, from Old English godfæder ("godfather"), equivalent to god + father. Cognate with Old Saxon godfadar ("godfather"), Middle Dutch godvader ("godfather"), Danish gudfader, gudfar, Swedish gudfader, gudfar, Icelandic guðfaðir ("godfather").