godfather

noun

1. A man present at the christening of a baby who promises to help raise the child in a Christian manner; a male godparent who sponsors the baptism of a child.
2. (figuratively)Someone who plays a key role in fostering the development of something.

   “The man often touted as the godfather of AI has quit Google, citing concerns over the flood of misinformation, the possibility for AI to upend the job market, and the “existential risk” posed by the creation of a true digital intelligence.”

   ““They are trying to kill the messenger with the bad news, it’s crazy,” said Dr James Hansen, known as the godfather of climate science and previously director of Giss for more than 30 years.”

   “[…]recalls Henrik Stiesdal, sometimes known as the “godfather” of the wind industry for his influential turbine inventions […].”

3. A mafia leader.
4. A small post which is used in repairing a fence. For instance attached to and supporting an existing broken fence post.

verb

1. (figuratively, often, transitive)To act as godfather or guardian to.

   “Hull objected violently that aid had not been used to extract commitments on postwar economic policy; the joint chiefs had wanted bases; others in the military still wanted Britain to play only a minor, if any, role in the Pacific; and they were all apparently angry at the Treasury for godfathering the Quebec Agreement.”

   “But months before, he'd agreed to godfather the premiere of The Godfather.”

   “The grave site, humble as it is, reflects something more than a hometown’s determination to honor a fallen son, something that seems irreducible in the politics of Iraq: the refusal of the Sunni minority, who ruled Iraq for centuries until Mr. Hussein’s overthrow, to reconcile themselves to the assumption of power by the Shiite majority who won elections godfathered by the American occupation authority.”