US /ˈpeɪtrənli/ UK /ˈpeɪtrənli/
adj

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    resembling or befitting a patron or protector

    He took a patronly interest in the young apprentice's career.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · resembling or befitting a... protectivefatherlypatronizing
Word family

Etymology

From patron + the suffix -ly ('resembling, befitting'). Patron derives from Latin patronus ('protector, advocate'), from pater ('father').

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Topics

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