one who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender.-a master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him.-a man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself.-an advocate or pleader.-one who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.-one who has gift and disposition of a benefice.-a guardian saint. -- called also patron saint.-see padrone, 2.-to be a patron of; to patronize; to favor.-doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary.