English Explanatory Dictionary

godmother

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A woman present at the christening of a baby who promises to help raise the child in a Christian manner; a female godparent who sponsors the baptism of a child.
verb
  1. To act as godmother to.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡɒdmʌðə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-godmother.wav

Word forms

godmother godmothers godmothering godmothered

Etymology

From Middle English godmoder, from Old English godmōdor (“godmother”), equivalent to god- + mother. Cognate with Old High German gotmuoter (“godmother”), Old Norse guðmóðir (“godmother”), Icelandic guðmóður (“godmother”), Swedish gudmoder (“godmother”), Danish gudmor (“godmother”).

Synonyms

co-mother cummer godma

Related words

godfather godchild goddaughter godsib godson

Derived words

faerie godmother fairy godmother godmotherhood godmotherly godmothership horse-godmother
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