PATRONESS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does patroness mean? 

• PATRONESS (noun)
  The noun PATRONESS has 1 sense:

1. a woman who is a patron or the wife of a patron

  Familiarity information: PATRONESS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PATRONESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A woman who is a patron or the wife of a patron

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

patroness; patronne

Hypernyms ("patroness" is a kind of...):

patron; sponsor; supporter (someone who supports or champions something)

 Context examples 

I have found out, said he, by a singular accident, that there is now in the room a near relation of my patroness.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

"Hannah left it on the kitchen table a minute, and the kittens got at it. I'm very sorry, Amy," added Beth, who was still a patroness of cats.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The change on Mrs. Elton's side soon afterwards appeared, and she was left in peace—neither forced to be the very particular friend of Mrs. Elton, nor, under Mrs. Elton's guidance, the very active patroness of Jane Fairfax, and only sharing with others in a general way, in knowing what was felt, what was meditated, what was done.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Instead of falling a sacrifice to an irresistible passion, as once she had fondly flattered herself with expecting,—instead of remaining even for ever with her mother, and finding her only pleasures in retirement and study, as afterwards in her more calm and sober judgment she had determined on,—she found herself at nineteen, submitting to new attachments, entering on new duties, placed in a new home, a wife, the mistress of a family, and the patroness of a village.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

This I learned from her benefactress; from the pious and charitable lady who adopted her in her orphan state, reared her as her own daughter, and whose kindness, whose generosity the unhappy girl repaid by an ingratitude so bad, so dreadful, that at last her excellent patroness was obliged to separate her from her own young ones, fearful lest her vicious example should contaminate their purity: she has sent her here to be healed, even as the Jews of old sent their diseased to the troubled pool of Bethesda; and, teachers, superintendent, I beg of you not to allow the waters to stagnate round her.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon, was such an instance of Lady Catherine's condescension, as he knew not how to admire enough.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced that it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Mr. Collins, said she, speaks highly both of Lady Catherine and her daughter; but from some particulars that he has related of her ladyship, I suspect his gratitude misleads him, and that in spite of her being his patroness, she is an arrogant, conceited woman.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)