All 11 Uses

patron
in
A Bend in the River
(Auto-generated)

He said, in the French accent he had picked up, "I must do nothing indecent in front of the patron."†
p. 33.9
Metty had taken to calling me patron, and in the presence of a third person, could make it sound ironical.
p. 43.3 *

patron = someone who supports an organization or a person
Metty said, "We must go there, patron.†
p. 54.1
And he, glad of the chance to come out and be active, said, "Patron," and frowned to show how seriously he took the business of closing up the shop.†
p. 59.4
I am telling you, patron.†
p. 69.4
I will leave her, patron.†
p. 106.1
He said through the door, "Patron."†
p. 178.3
And all that he said when I went up the external staircase, and found him standing in the doorway of his room, was: "I didn't expect to see you back, patron."†
p. 253.9
He said, "I suppose you know why you come back, patron."†
p. 254.3
That is what you have come back for, patron.†
p. 255.1
Late one evening, when he returned to the flat after being with his family, Metty came into my room and said, "I can't take it, patron.†
p. 263.2

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)
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.