patron: [14] Patron is one of a large group of English words descended from pater, the Latin member of the Indo-European family of ‘father’- words (which also includes English father). Among the others are paternal [17], paternity [15], paternoster [OE] (literally ‘our father’), patrician [15], and patrimony [14]. Patron itself comes from Latin patrōnus, a derivative of pater which was used for ‘one who protects the interests of another, as a father does’.
By postclassical times it had acquired its current meanings, including that of a ‘guardian saint’. Pattern is ultimately the same word as patron. The Greek branch of the ‘father’-family is represented by patér, from which English gets patriarch [12], patriot [16] (based ultimately on the notion of a ‘fatherland’), and patronymic [17]. => father, paternal, pattern, patrician, patriot
patron (n.)
"a lord-master, a protector," c. 1300, from Old French patron "patron, protector, patron saint" (12c.) and directly from Medieval Latin patronus "patron saint, bestower of a benefice, lord, master, model, pattern," from Latin patronus "defender, protector, former master (of a freed slave); advocate," from pater (genitive patris) "father" (see father (n.)). Meaning "one who advances the cause" (of an artist, institution, etc.), usually by the person's wealth and power, is attested from late 14c.; "commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery" [Johnson]. Commercial sense of "regular customer" first recorded c. 1600. Patron saint (1717) originally was simply patron (late 14c.).
实用例句
1. Catherine the Great was a patron of the arts and sciences.
叶卡捷琳娜大帝资助发展艺术和科学。来自柯林斯例句
2. Chiswick church is dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors.
奇西克教堂为水手的守护神圣尼古拉而建。来自柯林斯例句
3. She is a patron of small businesses and trades.
她是几个小企业和小手工艺者的资助人。来自柯林斯例句
4. Frederick the Great was the patron of many artists.
