patrician

[ puh-trish-uhn ]

noun

1. a person of noble or high rank; aristocrat.
2. a person of very good background, education, and refinement.
3. a member of the original senatorial aristocracy in ancient Rome.
4. (under the later Roman and Byzantine empires) a title or dignity conferred by the emperor.
5. a member of a hereditary ruling class in certain medieval German, Swiss, and Italian free cities.

adjective

1. of high social rank or noble family; aristocratic.
2. befitting or characteristic of persons of very good background, education, and refinement:

   patrician tastes.

   Synonyms: stately, genteel, dignified

3. of or belonging to the patrician families of ancient Rome.

patrician

/ pəˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. a member of the hereditary aristocracy of ancient Rome. In the early republic the patricians held almost all the higher offices Compare plebs
2. a high nonhereditary title awarded by Constantine and his eastern Roman successors for services to the empire
3. in medieval Europe
   1. a title borne by numerous princes including several emperors from the 8th to the 12th centuries
   2. a member of the upper class in numerous Italian republics and German free cities
4. an aristocrat
5. a person of refined conduct, tastes, etc

adjective

1. (esp in ancient Rome) of, relating to, or composed of patricians
2. aristocratic
3. oligarchic and often antidemocratic or nonpopular

   patrician political views

Other Words From

• pa·trician·hood pa·trician·ship noun
• pa·trician·ism noun
• pa·trician·ly adverb
• prepa·trician adjective
• unpa·trician adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of patrician¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin patrīci(us) “having the rank of patrician, noble,” (equivalent to patr-, stem of pater “father” + -īcius adjective suffix) + -an; replacing late Middle English patricion, from Old French patricien; patr- ( def ), -itious ( def ), -an ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of patrician¹

C15: from Old French patricien, from Latin patricius noble, from pater father

Example Sentences

He’s one of those sci-fi characters whose normal Earthman name distinguishes him as a plebe among patricians.

From Los Angeles Times

Cutler was struck by how Stewart’s experiences differed from the “childhood of privilege and formality” he had imagined, based on her patrician image.

From Los Angeles Times

A man who favored ascots, skeet shooting and jumping horses, Biden Sr. at times lived a more patrician lifestyle than his son’s folksy, working-man tales might suggest.

From Los Angeles Times

Her Clarissa was patrician yet superficial, though partial blame rests with the libretto, in which every other word of hers is “flowers” or “party.”

From New York Times

Plenty of people have caught Gielgud’s distinctively fluty voice and patrician air, but Gatiss was the emotional anchor of a play that connected with audiences who may have had no idea who Gielgud even was.

From New York Times