PATRICIAN

Of or pertaining to the Roman patres (fathers) or senators, or patricians.

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.

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.

A person of high birth; a nobleman.

One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one versed in patristic lore. [R.] Colridge.