padrone

pa·dro·ne  (p-drn, -n)

n. pl. pa·dro·nes (-nz, -nz) or pa·dro·ni (-n)

1. An owner or manager, especially of an inn; a proprietor.

2. A man who exploitatively employs or finds work for Italian immigrants in America.

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[Italian, from Latin patrnus, patron; see patron.]

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pa·dronism n.

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padrone [pəˈdrəʊnɪ]

n pl -nes, -ni [-niː]

1. the owner or proprietor of an inn, esp in Italy

2. (Business / Commerce) US an employer who completely controls his workers, esp a man who exploits Italian immigrants in the US

[from Italian; see patron¹]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	padrone - an owner or proprietor of an inn in Italy innkeeper, boniface, host - the owner or manager of an inn
	2.	padrone - an employer who exploits Italian immigrants in the U.S. employer - a person or firm that employs workers