n. In Roman antiquity, a person who was under the guardianship and protection of another of superior rank and influence, called his patron.n. In a general sense, one who lives under the patronage of, or whose interests are represented by, another.n. In the middle ages, any follower of a noble or knight; an inferior soldier, mounted or on foot; a vassal.n. One who puts a particular interest into the care and management of another; specifically, one who applies to a lawyer for advice and direction in a question of law, or commits his cause or his legal interests in general to a lawyer's management.