The Collaborative International Dictionary
Father \Fa"ther\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fathered; p. pr. & vb. n. Fathering.]
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To make one's self the father of; to beget.
Cowards father cowards, and base things sire base.
--Shak. -
To take as one's own child; to adopt; hence, to assume as one's own work; to acknowledge one's self author of or responsible for (a statement, policy, etc.).
Men of wit Often fathered what he writ.
--Swift. -
To provide with a father. [R.]
Think you I am no stronger than my sex, Being so fathered and so husbanded ?
--Shak.To father on or To father upon, to ascribe to, or charge upon, as one's offspring or work; to put or lay upon as being responsible. ``Nothing can be so uncouth or extravagant, which may not be fathered on some fetch of wit, or some caprice of humor.''
--Barrow.