compaternity

English

Etymology

From Latin compaternitas, from compater (“godfather”), from com- + pater (“father”).

Noun

compaternity (usually uncountable, plural compaternities)

1. (obsolete) The relationship of a godparent to their godchild.
   • 1612, John Davies, Discoverie of the True Causes why Ireland was never entirely subdued:

     The relation […] of gossipred or compaternity by the cannon law is a spiritual affinity.

Related terms

• compagination

References

• “compaternity”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.