Added 9 October 2026
patrician
/pəˈtɹɪʃən/ noun
Latin root: patricius Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about patrician at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- 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.
-
A person of high birth; a nobleman.
The emperor elevated several loyal families to the status of patricians.
- One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore or life.
adjective
- Of or pertaining to the Roman patres (“fathers”) or senators, or patricians.
- Of or pertaining to a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian; aristocratic.
- Characteristic of or appropriate to a person of high birth; classy.
Origin
Borrowed from Middle French patricien, from Latin patricius, derived from patrēs cōnscrīptī (“Roman senators”). May also have been derived from Latin patricius + -ian
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)