patron

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpeɪtr(ə)n/

noun

  • 1a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause: a celebrated patron of the arts
  • a distinguished person who takes an honorary position in a charity: the Mental Health Foundation, of which Her Royal Highness is Patron
  • 2a customer of a shop, restaurant, etc., especially a regular one: we surveyed the plushness of the hotel and its sleek, well-dressed patrons
  • 3 Roman History a patrician in relation to a client.
  • the former owner and (frequently) protector of a freed slave.
  • 4British, chiefly historical a person or institution with the right to grant a benefice to a member of the clergy.

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patronus 'protector of clients, defender', from pater, patr- 'father'