parent-likeadv.adj.
/ˈpɛːrən(t)lʌɪk/, /ˈpɛːrn̩(t)lʌɪk/, U.S. /ˈpɛrən(t)ˌlaɪk/ A. adv.
Like a parent; in a manner of a parent.Apparently unattested between the mid 18th and mid 20th centuries; cf. motherlike adv.
ΚΠ
1566 J. Partridge Worthie Hystorie Plasidas sig. Aiv The father he before doth striue, to runne a happy rase: The manly children parent like, do followe on apace.
1603 T. Winter Second Day First Weeke 12 The water parent-like would take delight To helpe the earth.
1681 J. Crown Thyestes iv. iv. 36 True Race of Tantalus! who Parent like Are doom'd in midst of plenty to be starv'd.
1735 J. Thomson Antient & Mod. Italy Compared: 1st Pt. Liberty 371 He my great Work Will Parent-like sustain.
1763 C. Churchill Author 4 Where Heroes, Parent-like, the Poet view'd?—By whom they saw their glorious deeds renew'd.
1967 Shakespeare Q. 18 19 Her reaction, nevertheless, is not an angry, violent one; instead, parent-like, it is one of stunned and intense sadness.
1994 Malahat Rev. Spring 69 Johanne, being the oldest, would have to slow down and very parent-like yell at her to hurry up.
B. adj.
Resembling or characteristic of a parent.
ΚΠ
1608 J. Dod & R. Cleaver Plaine Expos. Prov. xi-xii. 75 Marueilous is the efficacy of a parentlike blessing.
a1683 B. Whichcote Sel. Serm. (1698) ii. 274 This Disposition, and Parent-like Affection, that never thinks of making a Gain.
1800 T. Morton Speed Plough ii. iii. 37 Sue, we do wish to gi' thee a bit of admonishing and parent-like conzultation.
1848 D. P. Thompson Shaker Lovers v. 31 An unusual display of affability and parent-like kindness.
1914 Science 17 Apr. 584/1 Besides the parent-like strains then, we shall seemingly have two other races.
1998 Jrnl. Amer. Hist. 85 1092/1 His simple, stubborn faith in a parent-like deity.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.adj.1566