I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English godfader, from Old English godfæder, from god + fæder father — more at father
1. : a man who sponsors a person at baptism
there shall be for every male child to be baptized … two godfathers and one godmother — Book of Com. Prayer
2. : a man who assists in the Jewish rite of circumcision by holding the child upon his knees and may thereafter take an interest in the child's upbringing and welfare
3. : one having a relation to someone or something analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild:
a. archaic : a person who gives a name to someone or something
these earthly godfathers of heaven's lights that give a name to every fixed star — Shakespeare
b. : one primarily responsible for the care and development of someone or something
the editor had been godfather to many an unknown young writer
these two museums have long been benevolent godfathers to contemporary painting
c. : one held to be the principal creator or original exponent of a school of thought or mode of behavior
the spiritual godfather of the … demagogue in his addiction to reckless attacks for political purposes — New Republic
II. transitive verb
: to act as godfather to ; especially : to assume responsibility for the care or development of
a novice writer is sometimes godfathered by a prominent editor
proud that their company helped godfather this new industry — Service
III. noun
: the leader of an organized crime syndicate