— patricianhood, patricianship , n. — patricianism , n. — patricianly , adv.
/peuh trish"euhn/ , n.
1. a person of noble or high rank; aristocrat.
2. a person of very good background, education, and refinement.
3. a member of the original senatorial aristocracy in ancient Rome.
4. (under the later Roman and Byzantine empires) a title or dignity conferred by the emperor.
5. a member of a hereditary ruling class in certain medieval German, Swiss, and Italian free cities.
adj.
6. of high social rank or noble family; aristocratic.
7. befitting or characteristic of persons of very good background, education, and refinement: patrician tastes.
8. of or belonging to the patrician families of ancient Rome.
[ 1400-50; patrici ( us ) patrician ( pat ( e ) r FATHER + - icius adj. suffix) + -AN; r. late ME patricion patricien ]
Syn. 7. dignified, genteel, stately.