Patron

1. Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection; tutelary.
2. One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender.
3. A man of distinction under whose protection another person placed himself.
4. A master who had freed his slave, but still retained some paternal rights over him.
5. An advocate or pleader.
6. A guardian saint. -- called also patron saint.
7. One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.
8. To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor.
9. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work; a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.