protopater

protopater [protos < πρῶτος+CL pater] 1 first father. proto Grece primus Latine. et componitur ‥ prothopater Osb. Glouc. Deriv. 464; protoplastus, primus formatus, sic et ‥ ~er dicitur Ib. 480. 2 (transf.) first or foremost father (in quot. w. ref. to early bishops of English church). te [sc. Augustinum] protectorem concinunt et ~rem Gosc. Aug. Maj. 51A; septem primates sunt Anglis et prŏtopatres, / septem rectores, septemque per aethra triones Ib. 93A (= Elmh. Cant. 283); protodoctoribus et in fide Christi ~ribus Angliae metropolim suam ‥ ingredientibus Id. Aug. Min. 749D.