patron
/ˈpeɪ.tɹən/ noun B2- One who protects or supports; a defender or advocate.
- A guardian or intercessor; synonym of patron saint. · St. Joseph is the patron of many different places.
- An influential, wealthy person who supported an artist, craftsman, a scholar or a noble.
- A customer, as of a certain store or restaurant. · This car park is for patrons only.
- A protector of a dependent, especially a master who had freed a slave but still retained some paternal rights.
- A padrone.
Plural patrons
From the library
A noise was heard in the hall; the sergeant called his two patrons with an energetic “hem!” and the door-keeper appearing, called out with that shrill voice peculiar to his order, ever since the days of Beaumarchais:
Edmond, at the approach of his patron, respectfully placed the arm of his affianced bride within that of M.
“Yes, but to be captain one must do a little flattery to one’s patrons.”
I had often seen my noble patron annotating ancient volumes, and eagerly searching amongst dusty family manuscripts.
Learn patron in real texts
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