The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

parent \par"ent\ (p[^a]r"ent or p[=a]r"ent; 277), n. [L. parens,
   -entis; akin to parere to bring forth; cf. Gr. porei^n to
   give, beget: cf. F. parent. Cf. Part.]
   1. One who begets, or brings forth, offspring; a father or a
      mother.
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            Children, obey your parents in the Lord. --Eph. vi.
                                                  1.
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   2. That which produces; cause; source; author; begetter; as,
      idleness is the parent of vice.
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            Regular industry is the parent of sobriety.
                                                  --Channing.
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   Parent cell. (Biol.) See Mother cell, under Mother,
      also Cytula.

   Parent nucleus (Biol.), a nucleus which, in cell division,
      divides, and gives rise to two or more daughter nuclei.
      See Karyokinesis, and Cell division, under Division.
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