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patroness

American  
[pey-truh-nis] / ˈpeɪ trə nɪs /

noun

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


patroness British  
/ ˈpeɪtrənˌɛs, pəˈtrəʊnəl /

noun

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

  2. See patron saint

"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

Gender

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of patroness

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

Vocabulary lists containing patroness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Many stopped to kiss an icon of the patroness of their city, which an employee of the church said had been pulled from the rubble.

From New York Times Jul. 25, 2023

On a show like "Ted Lasso," for example, a filthy rich patroness may offer to solve a salaried friend's problems with getting a seat at a favorite restaurant by buying the place.

From Salon Sep. 5, 2021

The global church’s patroness of the Americas, she is revered by Catholics across borders.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 7, 2020

A rendering of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico and the Americas, watched over his ashes on a table beside flowers and prayer candles.

From Washington Times May 9, 2020

My patroness, too, might hear of him, and not approve.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

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