词典释义：
a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity
资助人
-
a celebrated patron of the arts .著名的艺术资助人。
a distinguished person who takes an honorary position in a charity
（慈善事业的）赞助人
-
the Mental Health Foundation, of which Her Royal Highness is Patron .公主殿下为赞助人的心理健康基金会。
a customer of a shop, restaurant, hotel or theatre, especially a regular one
（商店、饭店、酒店或剧院的）顾客（尤指老主顾）
-
we surveyed the plushness of the hotel and its sleek, well-dressed patrons .我们对这家酒店的豪华状况及其头发光亮、穿着体面的顾客进行了调查。
(in ancient Rome)a patrician in relation to a client
（古罗马）有权势的保护人，庇护人。参见<Bold>CLIENT</Bold> （义项3）。
(in ancient Rome)the former owner and (frequently) protector of a freed slave
（古罗马）已获得自由的奴隶的原主人和保护人。
〈英，主史〉 有圣职授予权的人（或机构）。
"Middle English： from Old French, from Latin
