③
祖先;先辈(复指历代男性尊长)
相关 名词理据由「直系之父」扩指「历代男性先辈」——fathers 复数即祖先、开国先辈(the Founding Fathers 即「开国先辈」),古英语本义即含「any lineal male ancestor 历代男性祖先」。
例句
These traditions were handed down by our fathers.这些传统由我们的先辈传下;由直系之父扩指先辈(相关·分类)——fathers 复数即祖先。
溯源路径本义 → 义项3