Pater
/ˈpeɪtər/noun
A father, especially in Latin or in formal religious contexts.
Did you know?Latin pater comes from the same ancient Indo-European source that gave English father, proving that one of the most basic family words also became a title of authority and sacred power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ph₂tḗr
“father”
Proto-Italic
PI
*patēr
“father”
Latin
Latin
pater
“father”
Old French
Old French
pere
“father”
English
English
paternal
“of or relating to a father”