Obs. [a. late L. susceptor, f. suscept-: see SUSCEPTION and -OR. Cf. OF. suscepteur.]
1. A godfather or sponsor at baptism.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., II. ii. § 103. Such Susceptors were thought to put an Obligation on the Credits (and by reflection on the Consciences) of new Christians (whereof too many in those dayes were baptized out of civile Designes) to walk worthy of their Profession.
1680. H. Dodwell, Two Lett. (1691), To Rdr. § 11. Even adults were not admitted without the Testimony of Susceptors or God-fathers.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary (1850), I. 4. I had given me the name of my grandfather,… who, together with a sister of Sir Thomas Evelyn … and Mr. Comber,… were my susceptors.
1743. Stukeley, Abury, II. 76. They had susceptors, sponsors, or what we call godfathers.
2. A supporter, maintainer. rare.
1652. N. Culverwel, Lt. Nature, Ep. Ded. (1661), 2. You, who … were sometimes ear-witnesses of it, will now become its Susceptours.
1680. V. Alsop, Mischief Impositions, Ep. Ded. The height of my ambition was to provide my self of a Right Worshipful Susceptor.
