sb. and a. [f. SPONSOR: see -ORIAL.]
A. sb. A baptismal sponsor or name-father.
1836. Marryat, Pirate, vii. You will now on the coast meet with a Blucher, a Wellington, a Nelson, &c., who will wring swabs … without feeling that it is discreditable to sponsorials so grand.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to a sponsor.
1847. in Webster.
1853. Chr. Rememb., No. 79. 62. The clause just quoted of the sponsorial exhortation.
1862. Wilberforce, in M. Hopkins, Hawaii, Pref. She … sends out sponsorial gifts befitting England’s Queen.
1897. Daily News, 12 May, 4/4. He would rather regard the former in their sponsorial function.
