n. One who holds a relation of superiority and service analogous to that of a father; hence, a protector.n. Specifically— Among the Romans, a master who had freed his slave, or a father who had emancipated his child, and retained some rights over him after his emancipation—those who succeeded to the master or father, as the case might be, usually becoming the patrons in his place.n. A Roman of distinction under whose protection auother, called the client, placed himself.n. In Greek antiquity, an advocate or pleader; a guardian; an official or legal intermediary.n. One who protects, countenances, supports, or encourages a person or a work; an encourager, protector, or favorer: as, a patron of the fine arts.n. A special guardian or protector; a saint whose special care is invoked, and who is regarded as a special guardian: as, St. Crispin, the patron (or patron saint) of shoemakers.n. Eccles., one who has the right to present a clergyman to an ecclesiastical living, or to other preferment; the person who has the gift and disposition of a benefice.n. A master; a host or landlord.n. The master or captain of a galley or other vessel; the officer in command of a ship.n. A cartridge-case, a small cylinder of leather, wood, or metal: same as bandoleer, 3; by extension, a larger case for holding several cartridges.n. A pattern; a model; an example. See pattern.Chosen as patron; supposed to act as patron; tutelary: as, a patron saint.To treat, conduct, or manage as a patron; patronize.n. The festival held on a saint's day.