Lewis & Short

pā̆trōna, ae, f [patronus], a protectress, patroness.

  1. I. Lit.
    1. A. In gen.: bonam atque opsequentem deam atque haut gravatam patronam execuntur, Plaut. Rud. 1, 5, 4: te mihi patronam capio. Thais, Ter. Eun. 5, 2, 48 cum lex ipsa sociorum atque amicorum populi Romani patrona sit. Cic. Div in Caecil. 20, 65.
    2. B. In partic., the mistress of a freedman, a patroness, Plin. Ep. 10, 4, 2.
  2. II. Trop., a protectress: provocatio patrona illa civitatis ac vindex libertatis, Cic. de Or. 2, 48, 199; Mart. 7, 72, 14.
    Of the tongue, Plaut. As. 2, 2, 26.