You say patron, I say potato.....

The libertine, leaping librarian votes for customer!

 

pa·tron

noun \ˈpā-trən, for 6 also pa-ˈtrōⁿ\

Definition of PATRON

1

a : a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter b : a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer c : a social or financial sponsor of a social function (as a ball or concert)

2

: one that uses wealth or influence to help an individual, an institution, or a cause

3

: one who buys the goods or uses the services offered especially by an establishment

4

: the holder of the right of presentation to an English ecclesiastical benefice

5

: a master in ancient times who freed his slave but retained some rights over him

6

[French, from Middle French] : the proprietor of an establishment (as an inn) especially in France

7

: the chief male officer in some fraternal lodges having both men and women members

— pa·tron·al \ˈpā-trə-n^əl; British pə-ˈtrō-n^əl, pa-\ adjective

 

 

cus·tom·er

noun \ˈkəs-tə-mər\

Definition of CUSTOMER

1

: one that purchases a commodity or service

2

: an individual usually having some specified distinctive trait <a real tough customer>

See customer defined for English-language learners »

See customer defined for kids »

Examples of CUSTOMER

1. She is one of our best customers.
2. She's a pretty cool customer.

Origin of CUSTOMER

Middle English custumer, from custume

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CUSTOMER

Synonyms: account, client, guest, patron, punter [chiefly British]

Related Words: consumer, end user, user; buyer, correspondent, purchaser, vendee; browser, prospect, shopper, window-shopper; bargainer, haggler; regular

Near Antonyms: broker, merchant, seller, vendor (also vender); shopkeeper, tradesman; black marketer (or black marketeer), fence

see all synonyms and antonyms

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