patrons of husbandry

1 definition found

patrons of husbandry - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Patron \Pa"tron\, n. [F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father.
     See Paternal, and cf. Patroon, Padrone, Pattern.]
     1. One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender.
        "Patron of my life and liberty." --Shak. "The patron of
        true holiness." --Spenser.
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     2. (Rom. Antiq.)
        (a) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained
            some paternal rights over him.
        (b) A man of distinction under whose protection another
            person placed himself.
        (c) An advocate or pleader.
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                  Let him who works the client wrong
                  Beware the patron's ire.          --Macaulay.
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     3. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work;
        a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.
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     4. (Eccl. Law) One who has gift and disposition of a
        benefice. [Eng.]
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     5. A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint.
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     6. (Naut.) See Padrone, 2.
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     Patrons of Husbandry, the grangers. See Granger, 2.
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