资料来源 : pyDict

赞助人,顾客,保护人

资料来源 : 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.

Patron \Pa"tron\, v. t.
   To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor. [Obs.] --Sir T.
   Browne.

Patron \Pa"tron\, a.
   Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection;
   tutelary. --Dryden.

   {Patron saint} (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar
      protector of a country, community, church, profession,
      etc., or of an individual.

资料来源 : WordNet®

patron
     n 1: a regular customer [syn: {frequenter}]
     2: the proprietor of an inn
     3: someone who supports or champions something [syn: {sponsor},
         {supporter}]