Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAR'ENT, n. [L. parens, from pario, to produce or bring forth. The regular participle of pario is pariens, and parens is the regular participle of pareo, to appear. But both verbs probably belong to one family; Eth. ፋረየ fari or feri, to bear: Class Br, No. 35; Heb. פרה farah, id. No. 33.]

1. A father or mother; he or she that produces young. The duties of parents to their children are to maintain, protect and educate them. When parents are wanting in authority, children are wanting in duty. – Ames.
2. That which produces; cause; source. Idleness is the parent of vice. Regular industry is the parent of sobriety. – Manning.