patron Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a regular customer
    frequenter.
  2. noun the proprietor of an inn
  3. noun someone who supports or champions something
    sponsor; supporter.

WordNet

Pa"tron noun
Etymology
F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father. See Paternal, and cf. Patroon, Padrone, Pattern.
Definitions
  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.
Pa"tron transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor. Obs. Sir T. Browne.
Pa"tron adjective
Definitions
  1. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary. Dryden.

Webster 1913