Godfather GOD'F`ATHER, n. The man who is sponsor for a child at
baptism, who promises to answer for his future conduct and that he
shall follow a life of piety, by this means laying himself under an
indispensable obligation to instruct the child and watch over his
conduct. This practice is of high antiquity in the christian church,
and was probably intended to prevent children from being brought up in
idolatry, in case the parents died before the children had arrived to
years of discretion. In the catholic church the number of godfathers
and godmothers is reduced to two; in the church of England, to three;
but formerly the number was not limited. GOD'F`ATHER, v.t. To
act as godfather; to take under one's fostering care.
godfather I. nounDate: before 12th century 1. a man who sponsors a person at
baptism 2. one having a relation to someone or something analogous
to that of a male sponsor to his godchild: as
a. one that founds, supports, or inspires <made him the
godfather of a whole generation of rebels — Times Literary
Supplement> b. the leader of an organized crime syndicate
II. transitive verbDate: 1780
to act as godfather to
godfather n. 1 a male godparent. 2 esp. US a person directing an illegal organization, esp. the Mafia. Phrases and idioms: my godfathers! euphem. my God!
GODFATHER
He who pays the reckoning, or answers for
the rest of the company: as, Will you stand godfather, and
we will take care of the brat; i.e. repay you another
time. Jurymen are also called godfathers, because they
name the crime the prisoner before them has been guilty
of, whether felony, petit larceny, etc.
Godfather \God"fa`ther\, n. [AS. godf[ae]der. Cf. Gossip.]
A man who becomes sponsor for a child at baptism, and makes
himself a surety for its Christian training and instruction.
There shall be for every Male-child to be baptized,
when they can be had, two Godfathers and one Godmother;
and for every Female, one Godfather and two Godmothers;
and Parents shall be admitted as Sponsors, if it is
desired. --Book of
Common Prayer
(Prot. Episc.
Ch., U. S. ).
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