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definitions

patron saint

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noun

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

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Nearby words

  1. patrologic,
  2. patrologist,
  3. patrology,
  4. patrolwoman,
  5. patron,
  6. patronage,
  7. patroness,
  8. patronise,
  9. patronize,
  10. patronizing

Origin of patron saint

First recorded in 1710–20
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for patron saint

British Dictionary definitions for patron saint

patron saint

noun

a saint regarded as the particular guardian of a country, church, trade, person, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for patron saint

patron saint

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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.