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parrain

godfather, sponsor

noun pah-RAHN Rare

Usage Note

Parrain is the godfather at a baptism, but also a sponsor or patron more broadly (le parrain d'une association). The feminine equivalent is marraine (godmother). In organised-crime contexts le parrain means a mafia boss, the title of the film Le Parrain (The Godfather).

Examples

"Son parrain lui a offert un beau cadeau."

Natural Translation

His godfather gave him a beautiful gift.

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