Ryan says this word means: Upper class nobility or elite. Actual definition: patrician \puh-TRISH-un, noun: 1. A member of one of the original citizen families of ancient Rome. 2. A person of high birth; a nobleman. 3. A person of refined upbringing, manners, and taste. adjective: 1. Of or pertaining to the patrician families of ancient Rome. 2. Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high birth; noble; not plebeian. 3. Befitting or characteristic of refined upbringing, manners, and taste.