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Patron vs Spectator - What's the difference?

patron | spectator | Synonyms |

As nouns the difference between patron and spectator

is that patron is one who protects or supports; a defender while spectator is one who observes an event; an observer.

As a verb patron

is to be a patron of; to patronize; to favour.

patron

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who protects or supports; a defender.
  • * Shakespeare
    • patron of my life and liberty
  • * Spenser
    • the patron of true holiness
  • A regular customer, as of a certain store or restaurant.
    • This car park is for patrons only.
  • A property owner who hires a contractor for construction works.
  • An influential, wealthy person who supported an artist, craftsman, a scholar or a noble.
  • (historical, Roman antiquity) A master who had freed his slave but still retained some paternal rights over him.
  • An advocate or pleader.
  • * Macaulay
    • Let him who works the client wrong / Beware the patron' s ire.
  • (UK, ecclestiastical) One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.
  • (nautical) A padrone.

    • Derived terms

    * patronage * patroness * patronize, patronise *patron saint

    Related terms

    * pattern

    See also

    * sponsor

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To be a patron of; to patronize; to favour.
    • (Sir Thomas Browne)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    spectator

    English

    Alternative forms

    * spectatour (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who observes an event; an observer.
    • The cheering spectators watched the fireworks.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 20 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Marge Gets A Job” (season 4, episode 7; originally aired 11/05/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=Bart spies an opportunity to make a quick buck so he channels his inner carny and posits his sinking house as a natural wonder of the world and its inhabitants as freaks, barking to dazzled spectators , “Behold the horrors of the Slanty Shanty! See the twisted creatures that dwell within! Meet Cue-Ball, the man with no hair!”}}

    Derived terms

    * spectate * spectatorship

    Anagrams

    * ----