A father (or dad) is defined as a male parent or Individual progenitor of human offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to a father and comparatively to "maternal" for a mother. The verb "to father" means to procreate or to sire a child from which also derives the gerund "fathering". Fathers determine the gender of their child through a sperm cell which either contains an X chromosome (female), or Y chromosome (male).
Read more about Father: Etymology, Relationship With Children, Determination of Parenthood, History of Fatherhood, Father–offspring Conflict, Categories, Non-human Fatherhood
Famous quotes containing the word father:
“You shall be as a father to my youth,
My voice shall sound as you do prompt mine ear,
And I will stoop and humble my intents
To your well-practiced wise directions.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Resolution thus fubbed with the rusty curb of old father antic the law.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
—Bible: Hebrew Exodus 20:12, one of the Ten Commandments.