(a.) Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary.
(n.) A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint.
(n.) A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself.
(n.) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him.
(n.) An advocate or pleader.
(n.) One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.
(n.) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.
(n.) One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender.
(n.) See Padrone, 2.
(v. t.) To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor.