padre

Definition

A military clergyman.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian padre, Spanish padre, or Portuguese padre (“priest”), which are from Latin pater (“father”). Doublet of ayr, faeder, father, pater, and père.

Example Sentences

• "The Zuma and Manzo Indians of the area were in the habit of going to the missions in the Spanish provinces below the Rio Grande River to solicit the padres to come to teach and baptize them in their villages."