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compadre

[kuh m-pah-drey]
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noun Chiefly Southwestern U.S.
  1. a friend, companion, or close associate.
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Origin of compadre

1825–35, Americanism; < American Spanish; Spanish: godfather < early Medieval Latin compater; see compère
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for compadre

couple, pair

Examples from the Web for compadre

Contemporary Examples of compadre

Historical Examples of compadre

  • The emissary and compadre of Hernandez spurred his horse close up.

  • There is a beginning to everything, compadre; so let us say no more, but good-bye.

    The Trail-Hunter

    Gustave Aimard

  • As you see, compadre; but let me have my breakfast at once, for I have a deal to do.

    Stronghand

    Gustave Aimard

  • They reverence their parents, they honor their patron, and love their compadre.

    Pony Tracks

    Frederic Remington

  • Bien, compadre,” he quietly replied, “it will be as you say.

    Carmen Ariza

    Charles Francis Stocking

British Dictionary definitions for compadre

compadre

noun
  1. Southwestern US a masculine friend
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Word Origin for compadre

from Spanish: godfather, from Medieval Latin compater, from Latin com- with + pater father
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for compadre

n.

"companion," 1834, American English, from Spanish compadre "godfather," hence "benefactor, friend," from Medieval Latin compater, from com- "with" (see com-) + pater "father" (see father (n.). Cf. compere, also gossip (n.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper