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