Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

   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.

   {Patrons of Husbandry}, the grangers. See {Granger}, 2.