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patron

   Also found in: Legal, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
pa·tron  (ptrn)
n.
1. One that supports, protects, or champions someone or something, such as an institution, event, or cause; a sponsor or benefactor: a patron of the arts.
2. A customer, especially a regular customer.
3. also (pä-trn) The owner or manager of an establishment, especially a restaurant or an inn of France or Spain.
4.
a. A noble or wealthy person in ancient Rome who granted favor and protection to someone in exchange for certain services.
b. A slave owner in ancient Rome who freed a slave without relinquishing all legal claim to him.
5. One who possesses the right to grant an ecclesiastical benefice to a member of the clergy.
6. A patron saint.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin patrnus, from Latin, from pater, patr-, father; see pter- in Indo-European roots.]

patron·al (ptr-nl) adj.

patron
Noun
1. a person who financially supports artists, writers, musicians, or charities
2. a regular customer of a shop, hotel, etc. [Latin patronus protector]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.patronpatron - a regular customer
customer, client - someone who pays for goods or services
operagoer - a patron of the opera
habitue, regular, fixture - a regular patron; "an habitue of the racetrack"; "a bum who is a Central Park fixture"
2.patron - the proprietor of an inn
France, French Republic - a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
innkeeper, boniface, host - the owner or manager of an inn
owner, proprietor - (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business; "he is the owner of a chain of restaurants"
3.patronpatron - someone who supports or champions something
benefactor, helper - a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
backer, angel - invests in a theatrical production
godfather - someone having a relation analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild
godparent - a person who sponsors someone (the godchild) at baptism
guarantor, warranter, warrantor, surety - one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another
patroness, patronne - a woman who is a patron or the wife of a patron
pillar of strength, tower of strength - a person who can be relied on to give a great deal of support and comfort

patron
Translations
Spanish patron [ˈpeɪtrən] n (in shop) → cliente m/f [of charity] → patrocinador(a) m/f;
patron of the arts → mecenas m

French patron [ˈpeɪtrən] n (in shop) → client(e); [of charity]; patron(ne);
patron of the arts → mécène m

German patron [ˈpeɪtrən] n (= customer) → Kunde m, Kundin f (= benefactor); Förderer m;
patron of the arts → Kunstmäzen m

Italian patron [ˈpeɪtrən] n (in shop) → cliente m/f [of charity] → benefattore/trice;
patron of the arts → mecenate m/f

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Hugh with a muttered oath thrust his hand into his breast, and drawing the bracelet forth, wrapped in a scrap of hay, was about to lay it on the table likewise, when his patron stopped his hand and bade him put it up again.
"The matter is, monseigneur," replied the patron of the bark, "that it is a truly remarkable thing - that lighter comes along like a hurricane.
A very strong instance of which I shall give you in this address, in which I am determined to follow the example of all other dedicators, and will consider not what my patron really deserves to have written, but what he will be best pleased to read.
 
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