A dignitary of the church, a superior of a convent, a confessor (called also father confessor), or a priest; also, the eldest member of a profession, or of a legislative assembly, etc.

One who, or that which, gives origin; an originator; a producer, author, or contriver; the first to practice any art, profession, or occupation; a distinguished example or teacher.

a familiar or direct way of referring to some ordained clergy: the Reverend John B. Smith, but--in personal conversation or in the salutation of a letter--Father Smith, Dear Father Smith. Typically used of all Roman Catholic clergy and of some Episcopal clergy. Be careful in using or not using this term: some clergy do not like it; others are offended if it is not used. Usually the people who prefer the term assume that you know they prefer it. There is no easy way to tell what the clergy preference is except by paying attention to letters, conversations, etc.

God (see Trinity); also the title given to a priest or clergyman in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches

`Father' is a term of address for priests in some churches (especially the Roman Catholic Church or the Orthodox Catholic Church); `Padre' is frequently used in the military

(Christianity) any of about 70 theologians in the period from the 2nd to the 7th century whose writing established and confirmed official church doctrine; in the Roman Catholic Church some were later declared saints and became Doctor of the Church; the best known Lation Church Fathers are Ambrose, Augustine, Gregory the Great, and Jerome; those who wrote in Greek include Athanasius, Basil, Gregory Nazianzen, and John Chrysostom

A familiar way of referring to a male ordained priest. Formally, he should be referred to as "the Reverend." Our priest is the Rev. Hamilton Fuller, or, familiarly, Fr. Ham. A female priest may be referred to as Mother, depending on her preference.