longfather

English

Noun

longfather (plural longfathers)

1. (fantasy) A male ancestor.

   Synonyms: forefather, patriarch, highfather

   • 1955, J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Pyre of Denethor”, in The Return of the King:

     'I would have things as they were in all the days of my life,' answered Denethor, 'and in the days of my longfathers before me: to be the Lord of this City in peace, and leave my chair to a son after me, who would be his own master and no wizard's pupil.

   • 1982, Ardath Mayhar, Warlock's Gift, page 65:

     Not until I could no longer feel behind me the contamination that was the temple where the Warlock's longfather had ruled did I pause to clean myself again with dust.

   • 2005, Gene Wolfe, “The Old Woman Whose Rolling Pin Is the Sun”, in Innocents Aboard: New Fantasy Stories, page 43:

     If you were to walk among them, O cherished Becca, as our own longfather did, who himself ran and played in the old man's field, you would be dazzled by their beauty, just as our longfather was, for they grow higher and ever higher, and brighter and ever brighter.

   • 2005, Sylvia Kelso, Everran's Bane, page 20:

     Three kings ago, my longfather taught the Everran lords that a king is not a corsair's figurehead.

   • 2007, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, The Battle of Evernight:

     And if thou wouldst aid me for the sake of sworn friendship, promise me only this—take my place, as once you took the place of my longfather William.