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.

---

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

---

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; patr- ( def. ), -itious ( def. ), -an ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Athenian patrician Thucydides began writing the history of his city’s conflict with Sparta even as the war was beginning.

From The Wall Street Journal

Van Berchem was one of the city’s most respected financiers, a patrician figure with deep roots in Geneva society.

From The Wall Street Journal

It unfolds along the same lines as “The Perfect Couple” and “Nine Perfect Strangers,” both of which feature Nicole Kidman playing patrician enigmas — a trend that began with her turn in "Big Little Lies."

From Salon

This was despite the fact that Bush didn't drink and his very patrician Connecticut lineage went all the way back to President Franklin Pierce.

From Salon

He’s one of those sci-fi characters whose normal Earthman name distinguishes him as a plebe among patricians.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aristocratic