Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Patron
Pa′tron
,Noun.
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
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 art4.
(Eccl. Law)
One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.
[Eng.]
5.
A guardian saint. – called also
patron saint
. Pa′tron
,Verb.
T.
To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Pa′tron
,Adj.
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 1828 Edition
Patron
PAT'RON
,Noun.
1.
Among the Romans, a master who had freed his slave, and retained some rights over him after his emancipation; also, a man of distinction under whose protection another placed himself. Hence,2.
One who countenances, supports and protects either a person or a work.3.
In the church of Rome, a guardian or saint, whose name a person bears, or under whose special care he is placed and whom he invokes; or a saint in whose name a church or order is founded.4.
In the canon or common law, one who has the gift and disposition of a benefice.5.
An advocate; a defender; one that specially countenances and supports, or lends aid to advance; as patrons of the arts; a patron of useful undertakings; the patrons of virtue.6.
In seamen's language, the commander of a small vessel or passage-boat; also, one who steers a ship's long boat.