padre
/ˈpɑːdreɪ
/ /ˈpɑːdri/noun
1The title of a priest or chaplain in some countries.While he is the Catholic Chaplain, and there are a number of other denominations among the coalition of the clergy, Father Pat believes the padres offer more than just spiritual guidance....
- College padre Father David Kelly told how Anglican-raised Mr Hilder had decided to make the move to Catholicism two years ago after feeling ‘stronger and stronger’ about his beliefs.
- It was in a spot like this that Illyn experienced the epiphany that led him to become God's padre of wild places.
1.1 informal A chaplain in the armed services: we had some very good padres in the service...
- Fred, freshly ordained as a Presbyterian minister was about to start service as a patrolling padre for the Australian Inland Mission.
- An Army padre led the service with readings by several Defence personnel.
- Guidance provided by a unit chaplain can extend beyond religion and away from the barracks, with padres deploying to the field in support of the troops.
Synonyms
priest, chaplain, minister (of religion), pastor, father, parson, clergyman, cleric, ecclesiastic, man of God, man of the cloth, churchman, vicar, rector, curate, curé, divine, evangelist, preacher;
Scottish kirkman
informal reverend, Holy Joe, sky pilot
Australian informal josser
1.2 (also padri) Indian A Christian priest: [as title]: Padre Saheb’s gardener told me he was dead...
- But that was after the Padres and Indians were on speaking terms in more senses than one.
- Perhaps it was this little performance that prompted the author to fulfill the pledge of his title and make this guide to the missions a really intimate one; by supplying us with colorful descriptions and humorous legends concerning the setting, customs and lives of the Padres and their Indian followers.
Origin
Late 16th century: from Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, literally 'father, priest', from Latin pater, patr- 'father'.