a man embodying or seeming to embody the qualities of an idealized conception of the male parent, eliciting from others the emotional responses that a child typically has toward its father.
Main Entry: fa·ther figure Pronunciation: 'fäth-&r- Function: noun : one often of particular power or influence who serves as anemotional substitute for a father
Main Entry: father image Function: noun : an idealization of one's father often projected onto someone to whom one looks for guidance and protection
