patroness
[pey-truh-nis]
- a woman who protects, supports, or sponsors someone or something.
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Origin of patroness
1375–1425; late Middle English patronesse female patron saint < Old French
Usage note
See -ess.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for patroness
Contemporary Examples of patroness
Her canonization was finalized in 1946, with the Vatican declaring her Patroness of Immigrants in 1950.
Historical Examples of patroness
The patroness of the ex-convict received this assurance indignantly.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
"You're wise not to lie I to me," her patroness remarked with just a suspicion of satisfaction.
NobodyLouis Joseph Vance
Thence he went to Veere, but found no opportunity to talk to his patroness.
Erasmus and the Age of ReformationJohan Huizinga
But Pamela was immovable, and, accordingly, had never seen her patroness since.
TheoMrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett
Tofte tells his patroness that most of his ‘toys’ ‘were conceived in Italy.’
A Life of William ShakespeareSidney Lee
patroness
- a woman who sponsors or aids artists, charities, etc; protector or benefactor
- See patron saint
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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
early 15c., from Medieval Latin patronissa, fem. of patronus "protector, defender" (see patron).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper