1. (n.) One who begets, or brings forth, offspring; a father or a mother.

2. (n.) That which produces; cause; source; author; begetter; as, idleness is the parent of vice.

agent ancestor ancestorial ancestral ancestress author begetter beginner catalyst causer creator effector engenderer father fatherlike fatherly generator grandfatherly grandmotherly grandparent grandparental guardian inspirer instigator maker mater materfamilias maternal mother motherlike motherly mover origin originator parental pater paterfamilias paternal patriarchal prime mover primum mobile procreator producer progenitor progenitress progenitrix root sire source stepfather stepmother