English

Adjective

Patrician ‎(not comparable)

1. Of or relating to Saint Patrick.

English

Alternative forms

• patritian (obsolete)

Noun

patrician ‎(plural patricians)

1. (antiquity) 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.

Translations

Adjective

patrician ‎(comparative more patrician, superlative most 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.
   • Sir Walter Scott

     born in the patrician file of society

   • Addison

     his horse's hoofs wet with patrician blood

Related terms

• matrician