patrician

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See also: Patrician

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Middle French patricien, from Latin patricius, derived from patrēs cōnscrīptī (Roman senators).

Pronunciation[edit]

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

Noun[edit]

patrician (plural patricians)

  1. (Ancient Rome) 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.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Adjective[edit]

patrician (comparative more patrician, superlative most patrician)

  1. Of or pertaining to the Roman patres (fathers) or senators, or patricians.
  2. Of, or pertaining to a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian; aristocratic.
  3. Characteristic of or appropriate to a person of high birth; classy.
    • 2021 February 9, Christina Newland, “Is Tom Hanks part of a dying breed of genuine movie stars?”, in BBC[1]:
      Hanks' taste in projects and directors is undoubtedly patrician and with a few exceptions like 1993's Philadelphia, the first mainstream film about the Aids crisis, rarely provocative

Related terms[edit]

Further reading[edit]

Romanian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from French patricien.

Noun[edit]

patrician m (plural patricieni)

  1. (historical) patrician

Declension[edit]