parent

¹par·ent

noun \ˈper-ənt\

Definition of PARENT

1

a : one that begets or brings forth offspring

b : a person who brings up and cares for another

2

a : an animal or plant that is regarded in relation to its offspring

b : the material or source from which something is derived

c : a group from which another arises and to which it usually remains subsidiary <a parent company>

— parent adjective

— pa·ren·tal \pə-ˈren-t^əl\ adjective

— pa·ren·tal·ly \-t^əl-ē\ adverb

— par·ent·less \ˈper-ənt-ləs\ adjective

Examples of PARENT

1. My parents live in New York.
2. The form must be signed by a parent or guardian of the child.
3. The parent brings food to the chicks.
4. The new plant will have characteristics of both parent plants.

Origin of PARENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin parent-, parens; akin to Latin parere to give birth to

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

Rhymes with PARENT

errant

²parent

verb

Definition of PARENT

transitive verb

: to be or act as the parent of : originate, produce

intransitive verb

: to be or act as a parent

First Known Use of PARENT

1663

par·ent

noun \ˈpar-ənt, ˈper-\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PARENT

1

: one that begets or brings forth offspring

2

: the material or source from which something is derived

—parent adjective

—pa·ren·tal \pə-ˈrent-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective