pa·tron /ˈpetrən, ||pæˈtron/
  贊助人,顧客,保護人
  Pa·tron n.
  1. One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender. “Patron of my life and liberty.” --Shak. “The patron of true holiness.” --Spenser.
  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.
  Let him who works the client wrong
  Beware the patron's ire.   --Macaulay.
  3. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.
  4. Eccl. Law One who has gift and disposition of a benefice. [Eng.]
  5. A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint.
  6. Naut. See Padrone, 2.
  Patrons of Husbandry, the grangers. See Granger, 2.
  Pa·tron, v. t. To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor. [Obs.]
  Pa·tron, a. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary.
  Patron saint R. C. Ch., a saint regarded as the peculiar protector of a country, community, church, profession, etc., or of an individual.
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  patron
       n 1: a regular customer [syn: frequenter]
       2: the proprietor of an inn
       3: someone who supports or champions something [syn: sponsor,
           supporter]