'Patron saint' definitions:

Definition of 'patron saint'

From: WordNet
noun
A saint who is considered to be a defender of some group or nation

Definition of 'Patron saint'

From: GCIDE
  • 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 individual. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'patron saint'

From: GCIDE
  • 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." --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Rom. Antiq.) (a) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him. (b) A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself. (c) An advocate or pleader. [1913 Webster]
  • Let him who works the client wrong Beware the patron's ire. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Eccl. Law) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Naut.) See Padrone, 2. [1913 Webster]
  • Patrons of Husbandry, the grangers. See Granger, 2. [1913 Webster]