Patron
Patron , noun
[French, from Latin patronus, from pater a father. See Paternal, and compare Patroon, Padrone, Pattern.]
1.
One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender.
Patron of my life and liberty.
The patron of true holiness.
2.
(a) (Rom. Antiquities) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him.
(b)
(Rom. Antiquities) A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself.
(c)
(Rom. Antiquities) An advocate or pleader.
Let him who works the client wrong
Beware the patron's ire.
3.
One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.
4.
(Ecclesiastical Law) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice. [English]
5.
A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint.
6.
(Nautical) See Padrone, 2.
Collocations (1)
Patrons of Husbandry , the grangers. See Granger, 2.
Patron , transitive verb
To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor. [Obsolete] — Sir T. Browne
Patron , adjective
Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary. — Dryden
Collocations (1)
Patron saint (Roman Catholic Church) , a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an individual.