father-in-law
(ˈfɑːðərɪnlɔː)
Also 5 fadyr in, yn, lawe, faderlaw, 6 fatherlaw.
[App. in law = in Canon law. Cf. brother-in-law.]
1. The father of one's husband or wife.
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 2272 Philomene, Un-to his fadyr in lawe gan he preye. 1467 Mann. & Househ. Exp. 172 John Hobes and is faderlaw. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lxiv. 221 Gerard called to hym his father in law, his wyfes father. 1598 Chapman Iliad iii. 187 The fairest of her sex replied: Most reverend father-in-law, Most loved, most fear'd. a 1704 T. Brown Eng. Sat. Wks. 1730 I. 25 This ungenerous father-in-law..discreetly hanged himself. 1843 A. Bethune Sc. Fireside Stor. 51 We are before the door of your intended father-in-law. |
| fig. 1650 B. Discolliminium 15 Pretended Necessity [is] the Father-in-law of intended iniquity. |
2. = stepfather. Now commonly regarded as a misuse.
| 1552 Huloet, Father in lawe, vitricus. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, v. iii. 81 All comfort that the darke night can affoord, Be to thy Person, Noble Father in Law. 1598 R. Grenewey Tacitus' Ann. iii. vi. (1622) 72 A..band of alliance..betwixt the father in law, and his wiues children. 1748 Richardson Clarissa IV. xxiii. 122 Nancy could not bear a father-in-law. 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Conq. i. ii, Father-in-law has been calling me a whelp and hound. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. iv, I am not their father, I'm only their father-in-law. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. lvi, I did not like my father-in-law to come home. |
Hence
father-in-law v. nonce-wd., to call (a man) father-in-law.
| 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xv. v, I'll teach you to father-in-law me. |