padrone

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. an owner or proprietor of an inn in Italy
  2. an employer who exploits Italian immigrants in the U.S.
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Padrone \Pa*dro"ne\, n.; pl. It. Padroni, E. Padrones. [It. See Patron.]

1.A patron; a protector. [1913 Webster]

2.The master of a small coaster in the Mediterranean. [1913 Webster]

3.A man who imports, and controls the earnings of, Italian laborers, street musicians, etc. [1913 Webster]

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