patron

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let him who works the client wrong
Beware the patron's ire. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Eccl. Law) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Naut.) See Padrone, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

Patrons of Husbandry, the grangers. See Granger, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Patron saint (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an individual. [ 1913 Webster ]

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

v. t. To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. patronage. Cf. LL. patronaticum, and L. patronatus. ] 1. Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Business custom. [ Commercial Cant ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Eng. Law) The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. patronalis; cf. F. patronal. ] Patron; protecting; favoring. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. patronatus. ] The right or duty of a patron; patronage. [ R. ] Westm. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. patronnesse. ] A female patron or helper. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Night, best patroness of grief. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of patronizing; patronage; support. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]