1. One who begets, or brings forth, offspring; a father or a mother. Children, obey your parents in the Lord. Eph. vi. 1.
2. That which produces; cause; source; author; begetter; as, idleness is the parent of vice. Regular industry is the parent of sobriety. Channing. Parent cell. (Biol.) See Mother cell, under Mother, also Cytula. — Parent nucleus (Biol.), a nucleus which, in cell division, divides, and gives rise to two or more daughter nuclei. See Karyokinesis, and Cell division, under Division.
PARENTAGE
Par"ent*age, n. Etym: [Cf. F. parentage relationship.]
Defn: Descent from parents or ancestors; parents or ancestors considered with respect to their rank or character; extraction; birth; as, a man of noble parentage. "Wilt thou deny thy parentage" Shak. Though men esteem thee low of parentage. Milton.
PARENTAL
Pa*ren"tal, a. Etym: [L. parentalis.]
1. Of or pertaining to a parent or to parents; as, parental authority; parental obligations.
2. Becoming to, or characteristic of, parents; tender; affectionate; devoted; as, parental care. The careful course and parental provision of nature. Sir T. Browne.
PARENTALLY
Pa*ren"tal*ly, adv.
Defn: In a parental manner.
PARENTATION Par`en*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. parentatio, fr. parentare to offer a solemn sacrifice in honor of deceased parents. See Parent.]