patrician

Meanings

1. 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.

1. Of or pertaining to the Roman patres (“fathers”) or senators, or patricians.
2. Of or pertaining to a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian; aristocratic.
3. Characteristic of or appropriate to a person of high birth; classy.
4. Politically active to help people in lower classes, especially in a patronizing or condescending way.

1. Of or relating to Saint Patrick.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French patricien, from Latin patricius, derived from patrēs cōnscrīptī (“Roman senators”). May also have been derived from Latin patricius + -ian