godfathering
Patronizing a protégé
Godfathering is the practice of serving as a godfather—sponsoring a child at baptism and taking on a mentoring role.
More broadly, it describes guiding, protecting, or supporting someone or something in a paternal way: He's been godfathering young talent in the industry for decades.
The term sometimes carries undertones of the Mafia don sense of godfather, implying control through patronage.
Sicilian criminal organization
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- omertàCriminal vow of silence
- bossWorkplace superior
made man · mob · syndicate · protection · loyalty · crime family · Corleone · Brando
Ceremony naming a child
- baptismalOf the initiation rite
- fontCharacter style set
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
rite · church · priest · minister · blessing · holy water · vows · sponsor
Funder of activities
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- backerFinancial supporter
- financierManager of substantial funds
- donorOne who contributes freely
supporter · patron · funding · endowment · philanthropy · angel investor · underwriter · grant
Advice for decisions
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- adviceGuidance on decisions
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- coachingGuiding others to improve
teaching · tutoring · experience · elder · adviser · protégé · role model · support
Cosa Nostra
Sicilian criminal organization
- underbossCriminal organization's deputy
- consigliereMafia boss's trusted counselor
- omertàCriminal vow of silence
boss · made man · mob · syndicate · protection · loyalty · crime family · Corleone · Brando · patronage
christening
Ceremony naming a child
sacrament · rite · church · priest · minister · blessing · holy water · vows · sponsor · naming ceremony
sponsor
Funder of activities
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- backerFinancial supporter
- financierManager of substantial funds
donor · supporter · patron · funding · endowment · philanthropy · angel investor · underwriter · grant · scholarship
guidance
Advice for decisions
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- adviceGuidance on decisions
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
coaching · teaching · tutoring · experience · elder · adviser · protégé · role model · support · nurturing
godfatheringabandoning
Leaving permanently behind
neglecting · forsaking · deserting · ignoring · disregarding
godfatheringabandoning
Leaving permanently behind
throwing to the wolves · endangering · exposing · cutting off · hanging out to dry
godfatheringabandoning
Leaving permanently behind
disengaging · distancing · uninvolvement · detachment · absenteeism
grandfather, fatherly, fatherhood, godfather, paternal, fathered, godmother, grandfathers, forefather