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Webster 1913 Edition

Patrician

Pa-tri′cian

,
Adj.
[L.
patricius
, fr.
patres
fathers or senators, pl. of
pater
: cf. F.
patricien
. See
Paternal
.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
Of or pertaining to the Roman patres (fathers) or senators, or patricians.
2.
Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian.
Born in the
patrician
file of society.
Sir W. Scott.
His horse’s hoofs wet with
patrician
blood.
Addison.

Pa-tri′cian

,
Noun.
[L.
patricius
: cf. F.
patricien
.]
1.
(Rom. Antiq.)
Originally, a member of any of the families constituting the populus Romanus, or body of Roman citizens, before the development of the plebeian order; later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege conferred, belonged to the nobility.
2.
A person of high birth; a nobleman.
3.
One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore.
[R.]
Colridge.

Webster 1828 Edition

Patrician

PATRI'CIAN

,
Adj.
[L. patricius, from pater, father.] Senatorial; noble; not plebeian. This epithet is derived from the Roman patres, fathers, the title of Roman senators; as patrician birth or blood; patrician families.

PATRI'CIAN

,
Noun.
A nobleman. In the Roman state, the patricians were the descendants of the first Roman senators.

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