Pa·tron n.
 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.