Both Uses of
patron
in
King Lear
- Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd, As my great patron thought on in my prayers.†
Scene 1.1 *
- —The noble duke my master, My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night: By his authority I will proclaim it, That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, Bringing the murderous coward to the stake; He that conceals him, death.†
Scene 2.1
Definitions:
-
(1)
(patron as in: a patron of the arts) a regular customer; or someone who gives money or support to an organization, cause, or person
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
In ancient Roman history, patron referred to the more powerful person in a complex client-patron relationship. The term is still used in some cultures today to describe a property owner who is in charge of workers.
Also see patron saint.
Much more rarely, a patron is the proprietor of an inn.