Forefather

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: fôʹfä'thÉ™, IPA: /ˈfɔːˌfɑːðə/
• GenAm enPR: fôrʹfä'thÉ™r, IPA: /ˈfɔɹˌfɑːðɚ/

Origin

Possibly directly from Old Norse forfaðir.

Full definition of forefather

Noun

1. Ancestor (Ancestor).
• 1907, w, The Younger Set Chapter 2/1, His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men—physicians and lawyers ; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon … .
2. Cultural ancestor; one who originated an idea or tradition.