| source : web1913 | Patrician \Pa*tri"cian\, n. [L. patricius: cf. F. patricien.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) 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. [R.] --Colridge. | source : web1913 | Patrician \Pa*tri"cian\, a. [L. patricius, fr. patres fathers or senators, pl. of pater: cf. F. patricien. See {Paternal}.] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) 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. | source : wn | patrician adj 1: of the hereditary aristocracy or ruling class of ancient Rome or medieval Europe; of honorary nobility in the Byzantine empire [ant: {plebeian}, {proletarian}] 2: belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy; "an aristocratic family"; "aristocratic Bostonians"; "aristocratic government"; "a blue family"; "blue blood"; "the blue-blooded aristocracy"; "of gentle blood"; "patrician landholders of the American South"; "aristocratic bearing"; "aristocratic features"; "patrician tastes" [syn: {aristocratic}, {aristocratical}, {blue}, {blue-blooded}, {gentle}] n 1: a person of refined upbringing and manners 2: a member of the aristocracy [syn: {aristocrat}, {blue blood}]