- patron saint
- noun Date: 1717 1. a saint to whose protection and intercession a person, a society, a church, or a place is dedicated 2. an original leader or prime exemplar
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
patron saint
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patron saint — 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.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
patron saint — n a Christian ↑saint who people believe gives special protection to a particular place, activity, or person patron saint of ▪ St. Christopher, the patron saint of travellers … Dictionary of contemporary English
patron saint — noun count a SAINT (=a dead holy person) who is believed to protect a particular place, activity, or group of people: patron saint of: St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
patron saint — patron saints N COUNT: usu with poss The patron saint of a place, an activity, or a group of people is a saint who is believed to give them special help and protection. Chiswick church is dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors … English dictionary
Patron saint — Saint associated with a trade or *guild; a particular saint to whom a person prays for protection through some specific association. Thus St Cecilia is patron saint of musicians, while St Jerome is patron saint of translators, and St Laurence of… … Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases
Patron saint — Patron Pa tron, a. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary. Dryden. [1913 Webster] {Patron saint} (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
patron saint — ► NOUN ▪ the protecting or guiding saint of a person or place … English terms dictionary
patron saint — n. a saint looked upon as the special guardian of a person, place, institution, etc … English World dictionary
Patron saint — The patron saint of a particular group of people is a saint who would protect and love the group and its members. Prayers by such people are considered more likely to be answered by their patron saint . Some consider it a special devotion to God… … Wikipedia
patron saint — noun a saint who is considered to be a defender of some group or nation (Freq. 2) • Hypernyms: ↑defender, ↑guardian, ↑protector, ↑shielder, ↑saint • Instance Hyponyms: ↑Santa Claus, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
patron saint — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms patron saint : singular patron saint plural patron saints a saint who is believed to protect a particular place, activity, or group of people patron saint of: St Nicholas is the patron saint of children … English dictionary
