padrone Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an owner or proprietor of an inn in Italy
  2. noun an employer who exploits Italian immigrants in the U.S.

WordNet

Pa*dro"ne noun
Etymology
It. See Patron.
Wordforms
plural It Padroni E Padrones
Definitions
  1. A patron; a protector.
  2. The master of a small coaster in the Mediterranean.
  3. A man who imports, and controls the earnings of, Italian laborers, street musicians, etc.

Webster 1913