*padr*

n. [ Gr. &unr_;; &unr_;, &unr_;, torch + &unr_; course, race, fr. &unr_; to run. ] (Gr. Antiq.) A race run by young men with lighted torches in their hands. He who reached the goal first, with his torch unextinguished, gained the prize. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Sp. & Pg. Padres It. Padri /plu>. [ Sp., Pg., & It., fr. L. pater father. See Father. ] 1. A Christian priest or monk; used as a term of address for priests in some churches (especially Roman or Orthodox Catholic in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Spanish America); -- also used in the American military.
Syn. -- Father. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. In India (from the Portuguese), any Christian minister; also, a priest of the native region. Kipling. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. A chaplain in one of the military services.
Syn. -- military chaplain, Holy Joe, sky pilot. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

‖n.; pl. It. Padroni E. Padrones. [ It. See Patron. ] 1. A patron; a protector. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The master of a small coaster in the Mediterranean. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A man who imports, and controls the earnings of, Italian laborers, street musicians, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]