Patron

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈpeɪt.ɹən/
• GenAm IPA: /ˈpeɪt(ʃ).ɹən/
• Hyphenation: pa + tron
• Rhymes: -eɪtrÉ™n

Origin

From Old English patron, reborrowed from Latin patrōnus, derived from pater ("father").

Full definition of patron

Noun

1. One who protects or supports; a defender.
• Shakespearepatron of my life and liberty
• Spenserthe patron of true holiness
2. A customer.This car park is for patrons only.
3. A property owner who hires a contractor for construction works.
4. An influential, wealthy person who supported an artist, craftsman, a scholar or a noble.
5. (historical, Roman antiquity) A master who had freed his slave but still retained some paternal rights over him.
6. An advocate or pleader.
• MacaulayLet him who works the client wrong
  Beware the patron's ire.
7. (UK, ecclestiastical) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.
8. (nautical) A padrone.

Derived terms

• patronage
• patroness
• patronize, patronise
• patron saint

Related terms

• pattern

Verb

1. (obsolete) To be a patron of; to patronize; to favour.

Anagrams

• parton, tarpon