patroness

[ pey-truh-nis ]

/ ˈpeɪ trə nɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR patroness ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a woman who protects, supports, or sponsors someone or something.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

patrology, patrolwoman, patron, patron saint, patronage, patroness, patronise, patronize, patronizing, patronizingly, patronly

Origin of patroness

1375–1425; late Middle English patronesse female patron saint < Old French

Related formssub·pa·tron·ess, noun

Usage note

See -ess.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for patroness

Her canonization was finalized in 1946, with the Vatican declaring her Patroness of Immigrants in 1950.
Mother Cabrini, Saint of the Green Card|Michael Luongo|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is a ridiculous thing for the Holby people to do; but I have to go to play the patroness.
Cord and Creese|James de Mille
She was a great benefactress of mankind, and patroness of the fine arts.
1000 Mythological Characters Briefly Described|Edward S. Ellis
But she was quite in love with her idea—she had always had a secret desire to play the patroness to obscure talent.
The Wonderful Visit|Herbert George Wells

He related the adventures of his youth, and dwelt upon all the circumstances of his attachment to my patroness.
Edgar Huntley|Charles Brockden Brown
Minerva was a virgin, and was the patroness of modest and virtuous women.
The Student's Mythology|Catherine Ann White

British Dictionary definitions for patroness

patroness

/ (ˈpeɪtrənˌɛs) /

noun

a woman who sponsors or aids artists, charities, etc; protector or benefactor

See patron saint

Derived Formspatronal (pəˈtrəʊnəl), adjectivepatronly, adjective

Word Origin for patroness

see patron

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

Word Origin and History for patroness

patroness

early 15c., from Medieval Latin patronissa, fem. of patronus "protector, defender" (see patron).