patron saint

patron saint
Patron Pa"tron, n. [F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father. See {Paternal}, and cf. {Patroon}, {Padrone}, {Pattern}.] 1. One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender. ``Patron of my life and liberty.'' --Shak. ``The patron of true holiness.'' --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Let him who works the client wrong Beware the patron's ire. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

3. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art. [1913 Webster]

4. (Eccl. Law) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

5. A guardian saint. -- called also {patron saint}. [1913 Webster]

6. (Naut.) See {Padrone}, 2. [1913 Webster]

{Patrons of Husbandry}, the grangers. See {Granger}, 2. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • patron saint — n a Christian ↑saint who people believe gives special protection to a particular place, activity, or person patron saint of ▪ St. Christopher, the patron saint of travellers …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • patron saint — noun count a SAINT (=a dead holy person) who is believed to protect a particular place, activity, or group of people: patron saint of: St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • patron saint — patron saints N COUNT: usu with poss The patron saint of a place, an activity, or a group of people is a saint who is believed to give them special help and protection. Chiswick church is dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors …   English dictionary

  • Patron saint — Saint associated with a trade or *guild; a particular saint to whom a person prays for protection through some specific association. Thus St Cecilia is patron saint of musicians, while St Jerome is patron saint of translators, and St Laurence of… …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Patron saint — Patron Pa tron, a. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary. Dryden. [1913 Webster] {Patron saint} (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • patron saint — ► NOUN ▪ the protecting or guiding saint of a person or place …   English terms dictionary

  • patron saint — n. a saint looked upon as the special guardian of a person, place, institution, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Patron saint — The patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who would protect and love the group and its members. Prayers by such people are considered more likely to be answered by their patron saint . Some consider it a special devotion to God… …   Wikipedia

  • patron saint — noun a saint who is considered to be a defender of some group or nation (Freq. 2) • Hypernyms: ↑defender, ↑guardian, ↑protector, ↑shielder, ↑saint • Instance Hyponyms: ↑Santa Claus, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • patron saint — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms patron saint : singular patron saint plural patron saints a saint who is believed to protect a particular place, activity, or group of people patron saint of: St Nicholas is the patron saint of children …   English dictionary

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