Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PATRON, n.2 Also patren. Sc. forms of Eng. pattern (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Now obs. in Eng. exc. dial. Phr. to take patron of, fig., to use as a pattern, imitate, model one's conduct on. [′pɑtrən, still the current Sc. pronunciation of pattern.]Sc. 1709 Analecta Scot. (Maidment 1837) II. 241:
Your other daughters takes patron of them.Ayr. 1821 Galt Legatees vii.:
I hope you have got the box I sent by the smak, and that you like the patron of the goon.Sc. 1830 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1863) II. 328:
I gat the tiler at Yarrow-Ford to cut it doun after a patron frae Embro'.wm.Sc. 1837 Laird of Logan 231:
Having got my sempels and patrens a' toshed and in regular order, I [a commercial traveller] packit up my trunk.Sc. 1882 Francisque-Michel:
Scotch ladies dressed in articles of apparel, the patron of which at least was imported from France.
