2 entries under this word

Patrician

Pa-tri'cian, a.

adjective

(pa-trish'an), a. [Fr. patricien, Lat. patricius, from patres, fathers or senators; Sp. & Pg. patricio, It. patrizio.] Pertaining or appropriate to a person of high birth; senatorial; noble; not plebeian.

This epithet is derived from the Roman patres (fathers), the title of Roman senators; as, patrician birth or blood; patrician families.

Pa-tri'cian, n.

noun

(pa-trish'an), n. [Fr. patricien, Pr. patrici, Sp. & Pg. patricio, It. patrizio, Lat. patricius.] 1. A person of high birth; a nobleman. ☞ In the Roman state, the patricians were the descendants of the first Roman senators. 2. One familiar with the works of the Christian fathers; one versed in patristic lore. Coleridge.