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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
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Patro(u)n(e, n.¹ Also: -own(e, -ownn, -ane, -ene; pattren. [ME. and e.m.E. patroun (c 1300), -on(e (1352), AF. patron (1278), OF. patrun (12th c.), -on (13th c.), patron, pattern, captain or coxswain of ship, L. patrōn-us protector, defender, patron, f. pater n. father.]

I. A patron, guardian, protector.

1. One holding the right of presentation to a church benefice.Also, freq., lawit (also laic, lawic) patron. For examples, see Lawit a. a 1 (2), Laic a. 1 b (2) and Lawic a. 1412 Laing Chart. 24.
The forbearis of the saide Rankyne beand foundouris and patronis till our house of Irrwyn c1420 Wynt. v. 2901.
Wyth-owtyn lewe … Off byschape or off patrowne Off that parochy 1450 Ayr B. Ct. 133 (18 Aug.).
Wyll of Blencanop resingit … fowr markis of annuel rent ȝerly … for deuyne seruis to be done for him & his wyfe and the comite to be patronis her of 1477 Peebles B. Rec. I. 181. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lviii. 13.
Quhar lordis was patrones oft I sang thame Caritas pro dei amore 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 186. 1522 Cart. S. Giles 213. 1526 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I. 155. 1535 Stewart 38540. 1539–40 Reg. Privy S. II. 511/1.
My lord cardinal … and … [the] Bischop of Abirdene patronis alternative of the said personage 1555 Peebles B. Rec. I. 226.
To heir the saidis altarages descernit vacand in the patrones handis 1568 Ib. 74. 1582 Reg. Privy C. III. 491.
[The Duke of Lennox] patroun to ane heidmanschip of the hospitale of the college kirk 1617 Acts IV. 583/2.
To the prelate lord of erectioun patroun or other beneficeit man 1627 Rep. Parishes 45.
The lordis of Newbottle were ever since patrones of baith quha before the reformatioun were patrones we knaw not 1640 Argyll Synod I. 28.
The assembly … has thought fit to recommend him to the patron of the said kirks 1681 Stair Inst. ii. viii. 27. 1690 Acts IX. 196/2.
Our soveraigne lord and lady … doe … make void the … power heretofore exercised by any patrone of presenting ministers to any kirke now vacant … within this kingdome

2. A patron or tutelary saint; also, a tutelary deity.Also in fig. context, and attrib.Cf. also sense 4 below.(1) 1475 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 30.
Of our patrone Sanct Gele c1490 Irland Asl. MS. 47/10.
Thi patroun thi gud angell [etc.] 1491 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I. 257. 1501–2 Reg. Privy S. I. 115/2.
Sanct Mawnys patroun of the cathedrale kirk of Orknay 1515 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 140.
For … loving to our patroun 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 182.
The forsaidis merchandis … to mak the Haly Blud to be thair patrone 1547 Elgin Rec. I. 91. Arundel MS. 281/84.
O Mary … patroun of mysserabill creatouris 1588 Mill Mediæv. Plays 253.
The … superstitious observation of … dais dedicate … to sanctis sumtimes namit patronis 1597 Skene Acts (1597) Table s.v. Halie-daies.(2) 1513 Doug. vi. Prol. i.
Pluto, thou patron of the deip Achiron Ib. ii. 83.
Our hir hallowit schaw Proserpyn maid thé [the Sybil] patron and mastres(3) fig. c1490 Porteous Noblenes 99 (Ch. & M.).
Thay sulde weil adoure thé [Perseverance] as lady maistres & patrone(4) attrib. 1491 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 328.
Wytht mony wtheris diuerise beand present … on the patrone day at the said kyrk 1528 Mill Mediæv. Plays 142.
For thair non riding one thair patrownn day 1551 Acts II. 488/2. 1622-6 Bisset II. 360/5.
The principall [terme], patrone markett … of Sanct Brydis Kirk

b. The founder of a religious order. — 1622-6 Bisset II. 127/3.
Sanct Frances … the first patrone or institutare of the ordoure of gray freiris

3. a. A person's lord, chief or superior. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 4351.
Nocht as a kingis sone of Massedone Bot as a prince of reiffaris and patrone Ib. 9438.
For pepill followis the trad of thare patroun The comounis als the regent of the toun

b. One who furthers or countenances by his favour or protection the interests or cause of another.Usually with implication of the superior status of the patron to the object of the patronage. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 138/14.
Quha wald fane be haldin a pissant patroun of ȝour cause 1566 Reg. Privy C. I. 466.
Our saidis soveranis … the patronis and sauftie of the pover wedois and fadirles a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxix. 37.
I hait thraldome ȝit man I … jouk and nod sum patroun for to pleis 1570 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 180.
The husband … intendeth to be a patron to his wife's adultery [etc.] 1586 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXIX. 60. c1590 Fowler II. 10/2.
I haue takin the boldnes … to acknawledge ȝour lordschip as an maist worthie patroun of my good and godly meanings 1590 Douglas Corr. 35.
I sall euer remaine … your patrone in all youre adoes 1616 Macritchie Gypsies 95.
Thir … ressettaris and suppleairis of the saidis lymmaris … ar patronis to theivis and lymmaris 1681 Stair i. ii. 12.

II. A model, pattern.

4. A prime exemplar (of a certain, usually good, quality); an example worthy of imitation; a specimen of exceptional excellence.Applied to a. persons, b. things.In some instances of a, not distinguishable from 2 above.a. a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 1433.
Of Twrane the cite May … blith be That Sanct Morise yhone patrone Has gottine & me to helpe ȝone lone a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 203 (Asl.).
Now princis … Tak Job & Dauid for ȝour cheif patroun Ib. 1013.
Goddis moder … Quhilk is cheif patrone & princes of pete c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxvii. 14.
Mastres of nurtur … Of fresch depictour princes and patroun ? 15.. Dunb. To London 54.
He is exampler … Principall patrone … Above all maires 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 5.
Maist reuerend Virgill … patroun of poetry Ib. 128.
The worthy clerk hecht Lawrens of the Vaill Amang Latynys a gret patron sans faill 1533 Boece ix. x. 311 b.
The fame of sic vertew … drewe oure haly patron Sanct Colm … to Albion 1540 Lynd. Sat. 339 (B).
That patrone of plesance The perle of pulchritude a1550 Lang Rosair 289. 15.. Clar. iv. 324. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10742.
Heid patroun to all hures 1572 Sat. P. xxxvi. 21. a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. xlvi. 59.
Propone that perfyte patroun [sc. Christ] for exempill a1605 Montg. Misc. P. l. 31.
Wer he [Pygmalion] alyve he wald This fairer patrone to adoir Of maidis 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 163.
Among the pieres he was patron and patern and … precedent of all his fellowesb. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 376 (Asl.).
His walkryf deligens Suld be to princis myrrour & patrovn ? 15.. Dunb. To London 31.
O towne of townes, patrone and not compare 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 639.
Lythquo quhose palyce of plesance Mycht be one patrone in Portingall or France 1572 Sat. P. xxxi. 33.
Scotland … lang in bludschedding hes run Ane patrone of mischeif The rest at it beginnis to leir 1579–80 Reg. Privy C. III. 264.
The … governing of his hienes and his hous salbe ane example and patroun to his haill realme 1581 Melvill 114. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 117/8.

5. An original of which a copy is to be made; a prototype; also, an artist's model.(1) 1387 Edinb. Chart. 35.
Voutyt on the maner and the masounry as the voute abovyn Sant Stevinys auter … the qwhylk patroune thay haf sene 15.. Clar. ii. 725.
My uther harnes they may as patroun taike 1608 Inverurie B. Ct. 1 Nov.
Ane bed and ane cheir according to the patronis viz. Wm. Cheinis bed & Morginis cheir 1615 Inverness Rec. II. 133.
Quhais cairn salbe ane patroun for the rest 1622-6 Bisset II. 199/200.
[Noah's] schip or ark … wes the patrene that all utheris maid thair schippis … thaireftir 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 202/5.
Taking youre patrone thairof from the microcosme of youre awin boddie 1633 Johnston Diary (1911) I. 75.
So that thy estaite seimed to be the patron and it the exemplar only of the estaite 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 35.
Aucht locks conforme to the example gevin to him … they being … conforme to the said patron(2) 1549 Compl. 11/25.
Than Eracleon … chesit fife of.the best lyik amang them al to be his patrone

6. a. A pattern or model made to be copied. b. A preliminary sketch or drawing; a plan. c. A written scheme or plan; ? specifications. d. A detailed description, a likeness. e. A mould or matrix used in founding, esp. in making cannon and ball.a., b., c., d. (1) c1475 Wall. ix. 1943.
Maistir Jhon Blayr that patron couth rasaiff In Wallace buk brewyt it with the layff 1502 Treas. Acc. II. 343.
For xxi thrugh of ymagery to be patrownis to the broudstar 1502–3 Ib. 289.
For iii elne cammes to be stentouris and patrownis to him 1510 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 103.
That the prik of that said stepil sal be raisit on … eftir the forme and patroun gevin … to the said Johnne 1531 Treas. Acc. V. 425. 1570 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 646/1.
The rest of the tumbe to ryis conforme to the patroun and draucht quhilk he hes 1602 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 311. 1611 Conv. Burghs II. 327.
Ane sufficient number of mets all maid be ane patrone quhilk patrone sall be and conteine according to the number of tua hunder greyne hering 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS. 23 Aug.
According to the draucht and patrone … dewyseit be the paynttour that waild wndertak the said wark 1683 New Mills Manuf. 58.
Threttie gros of bras moudill butonis conform to the patrane(2) 1457 Acts II. 49/1.
That the king mak a patrone of ilk habite and all the laif be maide thareftir 1504–5 Treas. Acc. III. 34. 1525 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II. 357.
To deliuer all money tymmir [etc.] … perteining to the patroun quhilk he hes tharof 1535–6 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 191.
For ane patrown of ane dowbill turngrece 1559 Ib. 297.
The pattren of fowsis and dykis I have fondit 1580 Treas. Acc. MS. 43 (2).
To John Cairnis that presentit to his maiestie the patroun of a weir cairt 1584 Acts III. 302/2.
That thair be ane iust measure … maid … And that ilk burgh sall ressaue ane patroun of the gage and measure foirsaid 1587 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 498.
With sum calculatioun thairof and platt of the patrone of the wark 1587–8 Ib. 515.
The thesaurer to caus mak ane pair of trey buits according to the patrone thairof come from Dundie 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 359.
The patron of our arms upon whyt fries(3) 1498 Halyb. 216.
Paid to the sten hewar for my lordis stan, … Item, gyffyn for makin of the patron to the throwch 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 71.
For … blew clath quhilk was patrone to the kingis gret goun 1505–6 Edinb. Hammermen 54.
For a plait to mak a patroune to the crovnis 1602 Treas. Acc. MS. 172 b.
For painting of thair maiesteis armes to be patrone to the armes of the some claithis that wes to be maid(4) 1506–7 Treas. Acc. III. 275.
For ii elne cammes quhilk wes the patroun for the pane of the cradill 1513 Ib. IV. 528.(5) 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 190/3.
Xenophon … settis doune a faire patrone for the education of a younge kinge. 1508 Treas. Acc. IV. 109.
For making of ane patroun to cast gun pellokis in 1539 Ib. VII. 217.
For ane grete mast to be patronis to mak the gun muldis witht Ib. 344.
For making and carving of vi patronis to the gunnis witht lyoun heidis and flour de lices of tre 1540 Ib. 486.
For glew to glew on the spilis upoun ane patrown of ane gun 1540–1 Ib. 491. 1558 Ib. X. 437.
Towis to fulfill and just the patrone to the muld of the said gros culvering

III. 7. a. The master of a ship.Appar. a less common alternative term to Maister n.; in some instances perh. suggested by F. patron. 1456 Hay I. 67/14.
In schippis … men makis ay ane patroun and maister our the lave to governe … all the membris of the schip Ib. 211/3.
Be thare nocht a patroun in a schip, to quham all ansuere and obeye, the schip is nocht lyke to cum to gude havin c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 4168, 4170.
With that the king … callit patronis and maisteris of the flote And thai straik sale, send furth a galiote. The patroun come [etc.] 1512–13 Treas. Acc. IV. 405.
To the patrone of Delamotis schip that brocht in the wyne 1513 Doug. v. iii. 58.
The patronys [L. ductores] in eftcastellis … Stude Ib. iv. 3.
That the patron [L. princeps] Gyas amyd the flude … Callys on hys steris man hayt Meneyt be name Ib. iii. 36. 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I. 346.
The patrone [L. nauicularius] therof astonyst with sa huge and vncouth tempest aganis the sesoun of the ȝere 1546 Treas. Acc. VIII. 458.
To … Howesoun patroun of the Lyoun c1575 Balfour Pract. 630.
The said admiral … sall injoin to masteris and patronis to obey to thair heidis [etc.] Ib. 635.
It is … forbiddin to all cheifis and heidismen, comptermasteris and patronis, quartermasters and marineris to [etc.]

b. ? The commander of a flotilla or squadron of ships; a commodore. 1512–13 Treas. Acc. IV. 463.
The kingis grace ordanit the patroun and James Makeson to pas to the Pow of Arth to se the schippis 1539 Ib. VII. 197.
Ane silver quhissill with ane lang chenȝe … gevin … to the patroun of the schippis