n. [ D. patroon a patron, a protector. See Patron. ] One of the proprietors of certain tracts of land with manorial privileges and right of entail, under the old Dutch governments of New York and New Jersey. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The office of a patroon. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. poltron, from It. poltrone an idle fellow, sluggard, coward, poltro idle, lazy, also, bed, fr. OHG. polstar, bolstar, cushion, G. polster, akin to E. bolster. See Bolster. ] An arrant coward; a dastard; a craven; a mean-spirited wretch. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Base; vile; contemptible; cowardly. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. poltronnerie; cf. It. poltroneria. ] Cowardice; want of spirit; pusillanimity. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Resembling a poltroon; cowardly. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Sp. quinteron the off-spring of a quadroon and a white. ] (Ethnol.) The off-spring of an octoroon and a white person. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]