patron saint

American  

noun

1. a saint regarded as the special guardian of a person, group, trade, country, etc.

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patron saint British  

noun

1. a saint regarded as the particular guardian of a country, church, trade, person, etc

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patron saint Cultural  

1. A saint from whom a person or group claims special protection or prayers. Saint Christopher, for example, is considered the patron of travelers; Saint Luke, the patron of doctors; and Saint Patrick, the patron of Ireland. People who have the same name as a saint may consider the saint their patron. The honoring of patron saints is especially common in the Roman Catholic Church.

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Etymology

Origin of patron saint

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

Patron saint of the island’s land preservation movement, the venerable editor of the Vineyard Gazette could, for decades, be seen walking one of a series of Scotch collies around the byways of Edgartown.

From New York Times • Aug. 12, 2011

Patron saint of Glasgow; the legend of, 356-357; mentioned, 70, 359 St Lazarus.

From Legends & Romances of Brittany by Spence, Lewis

Way down in the forest-city, There in S�kkingen is a worthy Patron saint of all young people, Is the holy Fridolinus, And to-morrow is his feast-day.

From The Trumpeter of Säkkingen A Song from the Upper Rhine. by Scheffel, Joseph Victor von

Related Words

• guardian angel