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.
© Webster 1913.
Pa"tron, v. t.
To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.