All 6 Uses

patron
in
The Hammer of Thor
(Auto-generated)

A few seconds later, Sam flew in—literally—right over the heads of the cafe patrons.†
p. 3.6
A new shape moved into my vision—someone even larger than the patrons and dressed all in white.†
p. 69.9
Frey himself is our patron and lord.†
p. 183.1
Because it was across from the Public Garden, I'd been to the pub a few times when I was homeless—to get warm on a bitter winter's day or beg a hamburger from the patrons.†
p. 390.4 *
Most of the patrons were a bit larger than Thrynga.†
p. 390.7
I helped Sam and Alex out of the chariot and we shuffled through the chaos, dodging mops and brooms and smelly giants while Thrynga moved through the crowd, shouting at her patrons to get ready for today's happy occasion quickly or she would rip their heads off.†
p. 392.1

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)
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.