Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
pa·tron
\\ˈpā-trən, for 6 also pa-ˈtrōⁿ\\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin patronus patron saint, patron of a benefice, pattern, from Latin, defender, from patr-, pater
DATE 14th century
1.
a. a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter
b. a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer
c. a social or financial sponsor of a social function (as a ball or concert)2. one that uses wealth or influence to help an individual, an institution, or a cause3. one who buys the goods or uses the services offered especially by an establishment4. the holder of the right of presentation to an English ecclesiastical benefice5. a master in ancient times who freed his slave but retained some rights over him6. [French, from Middle French]
: the proprietor of an establishment (as an inn) especially in France
7. the chief male officer in some fraternal lodges having both men and women members
•
pa·tron·al \\ˈpā-trə-n
əl;
Brit pə-ˈtrō-n
əl, pa-\\
adjective patron
"a lord-master, a protector," c.1300, from O.Fr. patrun (12c.), from M.L. patronus "patron saint, bestower of a benefice, lord, master, model, pattern," from L. patronus "defender, protector, advocate," from pater (gen. patris) "father." Meaning "one who advances the cause" (of an artist, institution, etc.), usually by the person's wealth and power, is attested from late 14c.; "commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery" [Johnson]. Commercial sense of "regular customer" first recorded c.1600.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
patron
pat·ron / 5peitrEn / noun1. a person who gives money and support to artists and writers
(艺术家的)赞助人,资助者:
Frederick the Great was the patron of many artists.
腓特烈大帝是许多艺术家的赞助人。
2. a famous person who supports an organization such as a charity and whose name is used in the advertisements, etc. for the organization
名义赞助人(支持慈善组织等的名人,名字常用于有关的广告宣传中)
3. (formal) a person who uses a particular shop / store, restaurant, etc.
老主顾；顾客；常客:
Patrons are requested not to smoke.
请顾客不要吸烟。
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English
Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishpatron
noun
ADJ. official the official patron of the college | influential, powerful | generous | wealthy
PHRASES a patron of the arts The BBC is a major patron of the arts.
patron noun
⇨ customer (Patrons are requested not to smoke.)
⇨ sponsor (the patron of many artists/a charity)
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
pa·tronI. \ˈpā.trən\
noun
(
-s)
Etymology: Middle English
patroun, from Middle French
patrun, patron, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin
patronus patron of a benefice, patron saint, master, pattern, from Latin, defender, protector, advocate, from
patr-, pater father — more at
father
1.
a. : a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter
b. : patron saint
c. : a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer
< a patron of scholars, a grand seigneur — R.W.Southern >
d. : a social or financial sponsor of an entertainment or other function (as for charity)
< included among the patrons of the Junior League dance >2.
a. : one who gives of his means or uses his influence to help or benefit an individual, an institution, or a cause
: benefactor
< philanthropist and patron of arts — New York Times >
< widely known as an explorer and a patron of exploration — W.J.Ghent >
b. obsolete : the declared champion of a theory, teaching, or position
< a patron of anarchy — John Locke >3. : a steady or regular client: as
a. : an habitual customer of a merchant
b. : a regular client of a physician
c. : a parent or guardian of a child in a private school
d. : one who uses the services of a library and especially of a public library
4. : the master or steersman of a galley or of a river boat or coasting ship
5. obsolete : an owner of slaves or captives
6. archaic : a case for pistol cartridges
7. : the conductor or master of an atelier for the study of architectural design
8. : the holder of the right of presentation to an English ecclesiastical benefice
: the owner of the advowson
9. : a Roman patrician under whose protection a client places himself
10. Roman law : a master who frees his slave but retains some rights over him — compare
obsequium
11. \paˈtrōⁿ\
: the proprietor of an establishment (as an inn) — compare
patronne
12. : the chief male officer in some fraternal lodges having both men and women members — compare
matron
II. transitive verb
(
-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: probably from French
patronner, from Middle French, from
patronarchaic : to serve as patron of
: patronize
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