patrician

See also: Patrician

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French patricien, from Latin pātricius, derived from patrēs cōnscrīptī (“Roman senators”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pətɹˈɪʃən/
  • Rhymes: -ɪʃən

Noun

patrician (plural patricians)

  1. (antiquity) A member of any of the families constituting the populus Romanus, or body of Roman citizens, before the development of the plebeian order; later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege conferred, belonged to the senior class of Romans, who, with certain property, had by right a seat in the Roman Senate.
  2. A person of high birth; a nobleman.
  3. One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore or life.

Translations

Adjective

patrician (comparative more patrician, superlative most patrician)

  1. Of or pertaining to the Roman patres ("fathers") or senators, or patricians.
  2. Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian.
    • Sir Walter Scott
      born in the patrician file of society
    • Addison
      his horse's hoofs wet with patrician blood

Further reading

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