| 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. "Born in the patrician file of society." (Sir W. Scott) "His horse's hoofs wet with patrician blood." (Addison) Origin: L. Patricius, fr. Patres fathers or senators, pl. Of pater: cf. F. Patricien. See Paternal. 1. Originally, 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 nobility. 2. A person of high birth; a nobleman. 3. One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore. Origin: L. Patricius: cf. F. Patricien. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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