patrician

American  

[puh-trish-uhn] / pəˈtrɪʃ ən /

noun

1. a person of noble or high rank; aristocrat.

2. a person of very good background, education, and refinement.

3. a member of the original senatorial aristocracy in ancient Rome.

4. (under the later Roman and Byzantine empires) a title or dignity conferred by the emperor.

5. a member of a hereditary ruling class in certain medieval German, Swiss, and Italian free cities.

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adjective

1. of high social rank or noble family; aristocratic.

2. befitting or characteristic of persons of very good background, education, and refinement.

   patrician tastes.

   Synonyms:

   stately, genteel, dignified

3. of or belonging to the patrician families of ancient Rome.

patrician British  

/ pəˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. a member of the hereditary aristocracy of ancient Rome. In the early republic the patricians held almost all the higher offices Compare plebs

2. a high nonhereditary title awarded by Constantine and his eastern Roman successors for services to the empire

3. 1. a title borne by numerous princes including several emperors from the 8th to the 12th centuries

   2. a member of the upper class in numerous Italian republics and German free cities

4. an aristocrat

5. a person of refined conduct, tastes, etc

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adjective

1. (esp in ancient Rome) of, relating to, or composed of patricians

2. aristocratic

3. oligarchic and often antidemocratic or nonpopular

   patrician political views

Other Word Forms

• patricianhood
  noun
• patricianism
  noun
• patricianly
  adverb
• patricianship
  noun
• prepatrician
  adjective
• unpatrician
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of patrician

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin patrīci(us) “having the rank of patrician, noble,” (equivalent to patr-, stem of pater “father” + -īcius adjective suffix) + -an; replacing late Middle English patricion, from Old French patricien; see origin at patr- ( def. ), -itious ( def. ), -an ( def. )

Explanation

That refined gentleman over there with the excellent manners, the elegant suit, and the beautiful home on Park Avenue? He’s a patrician, a member of the upper classes. In ancient Rome, the word patrician referred to members of the aristocracy, but its meaning has evolved to include those who belong to the upper classes. The adjective form of patrician describes things that are associated with the upper class, like a patrician assumption that all children should go to boarding school. Someone who enjoys refined dinners might be described as having patrician taste.

Example Sentences

The Kellys and members of the Patrician Hall have continued to research the rock star's Tyrone heritage.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024

Hoops is currently building a resort in his home state of West Virginia, called the Grand Patrician, named after his wife, Patricia.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 9, 2019

Patrician denied it was mold and declined to do additional testing, emails show.

From Reuters • Nov. 1, 2018

On Tuesday afternoon, 506 candidates from 67 countries were sworn in as U.S. citizens at the Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony at the Seattle Center, said Patrician Ryan, public affairs officer with U.S.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 4, 2017

While the Patrician senate, and the Patrician Consuls hold with firm hands the government, full well they know, that in vain violence or fraud may strive to wrest it from them.

From The Roman Traitor, Vol. 1 by Herbert, Henry William

Related Words

• aristocratic