patroness, n.
(ˈpeɪtrənɪs, ˈpæt-)
Also 5 -nyse, 5–7 -nesse, -onnesse.
[ad. med.L. patrōnissa, fem. of patrōnus (after basilissa: see -ess); cf. mod.F. patronnesse (1878 in Dict. Acad.), Du. patrones.]
1. A female patron (in senses 1–3 of patron); in modern usage, esp. one who promotes and takes a lead in social functions, as balls, bazaars, etc.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 386/2 Patronesse, patronissa (P. patrona). 1509 Fisher Fun. Serm. C'tess Richmond Wks. (1876) 301 All the lerned men of Englonde to whome she was a veray patronesse. 1592 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. in Archaica (1815) II. 10 The excellent gentlewoman my patroness, or rather championess in this quarrel. 1625 Bp. R. Montagu App. Cæsar 56 The Church of England no Patroness of Novell opinions. 1798 Ferriar Illustr. Sterne i. 12 Margaret Queen of Navarre..patroness of literary men. c 1820 Byron Charity Ball note, Lady Byron had been patroness of a ball. 1861 G. J. Whyte-Melville Mkt. Harb. xxiv. 192 After much discussion by stewards and lady patronesses. 1875 Poste tr. Gaius iii. §49 Patronesses..had only the same rights as patrons under the statute of the Twelve Tables. |
2. A female patron saint.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 57 b, Take her for thy chefe patroness & advocatryce. 1555 Eden Decades 73 To take vnto hym the holy virgin..to bee his patronesse. 1694 Lond. Gaz. No. 2979/2 That the Relicts of St. Genevieve, Patroness of this City [Paris], should be carried in..Procession. 1828 Scott Chron. Canongate Ser. ii. Introd., The venerable guardian of St. Bridget probably expected the interference of her patroness. |
b. A female tutelary deity; said also fig. of personified principles, etc.
| c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 376 Dame Venus..Patronesse of pleasaunce, be namyd well she myght. 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 342 b, Minerva was thought the patronesse of al witte. c 1630 Milton Passion v, Befriend me Night best Patroness of grief. 1784 Cowper Task iv. 780 Hail, therefore, patroness of health and ease And contemplation,..Hail, rural life! |
3. A female holder of an advowson.
| 1538 Cranmer Let. to Cromwell in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.) II. 362 The bishop of London..gave the institution unto the said sir Heugh Payne, leaving the patroness in suit at the common law for the same. 1818 in Todd; and in later Dicts. |
† 4. A woman who is a pattern or model to her sex: see pattern. Obs.
| c 1430 Lydg. Reas. & Sens. 6833 Which ys Merour and patronesse, To yive example of stedfastenesse To women throgh hir noble fame. |
5. Comb., as patroness saint = sense 2.
| 1901 Westm. Gaz. 18 Sept. 2/1 The image of Ste. Anne, the patroness-saint of Brittany. |
Hence ˈpatroness v., to play the patroness to; ˈpatroness-ship, the position or office of patroness.
| 1834 New Monthly Mag. XLI. 8 The intrigues of Almack's—the petty partisanship of patronessing. 1840 Mrs. Gore ibid. LX. 51 In London life, patronesship is a matter of election. 1846 ― Eng. Char. (1852) 79 Her ladyship refused the patroness-ship last season. 1865 Patronessed [see patron v.]. |