Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Patron?

\Pa"tron\, n. [F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father. See {Paternal}, and cf. {Patroon}, {Padrone}, {Pattern}.] 1. One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender. ``Patron of my life and liberty.'' --Shak. ``The patron of true holiness.'' --Spenser. 2. (Rom. Antiq.) (a) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him. (b) A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself. (c) An advocate or pleader. Let him who works the client wrong Beware the patron's ire. --Macaulay. 3. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art. 4. (Eccl. Law) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice. [Eng.] 5. A guardian saint. -- called also {patron saint}. 6. (Naut.) See {Padrone}, 2. {Patrons of Husbandry}, the grangers. See {Granger}, 2.
\Pa"tron\, v. t. To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
\Pa"tron\, a. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary. --Dryden. {Patron saint} (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an individual.