forefather

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English forefader, forfader, vorvader, from Old English forefæder (“forefather”), but possibly also merged with Old Norse forfaðir. Equivalent to fore- +‎ father. Compare Dutch voorvader (“forefather”), German Vorvater, Vorfahr (“forefather”), Danish forfader (“forefather”), Swedish förfader (“forefather”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) enPR: fôʹfä'thə, IPA(key): /ˈfɔːˌfɑːðə/ (General American) enPR: fôrʹfä'thər, IPA(key): /ˈfɔɹˌfɑːðɚ/ === Noun === forefather (plural forefathers) An ancestor. A cultural ancestor; one who originated an idea or tradition. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== foresister