patroness

[ pey-truh-nis ]

noun

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

patroness

/ ˈpeɪtrənˌɛs; pəˈtrəʊnəl /

noun

1. a woman who sponsors or aids artists, charities, etc; protector or benefactor
2. See patron saint

Gender Note

See -ess.

Derived Forms

• ˈpatronly, adjective
• patronal, adjective

Other Words From

• sub·patron·ess noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of patroness¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of patroness¹

see patron

Example Sentences

Her canonization was finalized in 1946, with the Vatican declaring her Patroness of Immigrants in 1950.

From The Daily Beast

In 1821 rumor had it that he intended to wed a miller's widow, his patroness, who was thirty-two years old.

From Project Gutenberg

She was the patroness of hunters, fishermen and sailors, and also a goddess of birth and health.

From Project Gutenberg

Margaret, who neither wanted sense nor feeling, wiped her tears hastily, and asked her patroness's forgiveness for her petulance.

From Project Gutenberg

She was the patroness of every art, and the friend of every man of genius.

From Project Gutenberg

From the first Batt applied himself to win his patroness' favour to his clever and needy friend.

From Project Gutenberg