patron saint

English

patron saint (plural patron saints)

(Christianity) A saint conceived as the patron (protector or supporter) of a particular place, group, or activity.
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland; St. Isidore is the patron saint of software engineers; and St. Anthony is the patron saint of travelers and finding lost things.
(figuratively) An exemplar: an individual who exemplifies some trait or group.
Janet is the patron saint of procrastination. I'm thinking of erecting her a shrine of doughnut boxes in the breakroom.

saint from whom a specific group claims special protection or prayer

Arabic: please add this translation if you can
Chinese:
Mandarin: 主保聖人, 主保圣人 (zhǔbǎo shèngrén)
Danish: skytshelgen c
Dutch: beschermheilige (nl) c
Finnish: suojeluspyhimys
French: saint patron (fr) m
Galician: patrono m
German: Schutzheiliger (de) m, Schutzheilige (de) f, Schutzpatron (de) m, Schutzpatronin (de) f
Hindi: please add this translation if you can
Hungarian: védőszent (hu)
Icelandic: verndardýrlingur m
Irish: éarlamh m
Old Irish: érlam m

exemplar — see exemplar

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