[par.ent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L parent-, parens; akin to L parere to give birth to] (15c) 1 a: one that begets or brings forth offspring b: a person who brings up and cares for another
2. a: an animal or plant that is regarded in relation to its offspring b: the material or source from which something is derived c: a group from which another arises and to which it usu. remains subsidiary "a ~ company" -- parent adj -- pa.ren.tal adj -- pa.ren.tal.ly adv -- par.ent.less adj
[2]parent vt (1663): to be or act as the parent of: originate, produce