1. [n]  a regular customer
2. [n]  someone who supports or champions something
3. [n]  (French) the proprietor of an inn

Patron
Patron

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1. \Pa"tron\, n. [F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father.
   See {Paternal}, and cf. {Patroon}, {Padrone}, {Pattern}.]
   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.
   

2. \Pa"tron\, v. t.
   To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor. [Obs.] --Sir T.
   Browne.
   

3. \Pa"tron\, a.
   Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection;
   tutelary. --Dryden.
   {Patron saint} (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar
      protector of a country, community, church, profession,
      etc., or of an individual.