padrone

[ puh-droh-nee, -ney; Italian pah-draw-ne ]

noun

, plural pa·dro·nes [p, uh, -, droh, -neez, -neyz], Italian pa·dro·ni [pah-, draw, -nee].

1. a master; boss.
2. an employer, especially of immigrant laborers, who provides communal housing and eating arrangements, controls the allocation of pay, etc., in a manner that exploits the workers.
3. an innkeeper.

padrone

/ pəˈdrəʊnɪ /

noun

1. the owner or proprietor of an inn, esp in Italy
2. an employer who completely controls his workers, esp a man who exploits Italian immigrants in the US

Other Words From

• pa·dro·nism [p, uh, -, droh, -niz-, uh, m], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of padrone¹

From Italian, dating back to 1660–70; patron

Word History and Origins

Origin of padrone¹

C17: from Italian; see patron ¹

Example Sentences

He has an engaging grin, his English is fluent and he resembles not a gravedigger but the shrewd and affable padrone of a very successful restaurant.

From Los Angeles Times

Their first big success came in 1977 when they won the Palm d’Or at Cannes for their film “Padre padrone,” about a shepherd in Sardinia who sought to escape his domineering father by educating himself.

From Washington Times

Like a proud padrone, Mr Renzi may demand respect for Italy’s position.

From Economist

The padrone of my lodgings came in this morning, and told me the circumstances with the most serious astonishment.

From Project Gutenberg

The people were Mas'aniello's "padrone," and like the wine in the flask, their favour was sweet at night but sour in the morning.

From Project Gutenberg