For example: Friedrich Engels supported Karl Marx during his entire life, so he could focus on his work. I know there is a word for such a relationship, but cannot remember it. Please help me out.
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5The word is patron. As in patron of the arts or the crowdfunding site Patreon.– Dan BronJun 16, 2017 at 14:01
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2Another word for it is sponsor.– DrewJun 16, 2017 at 14:03
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1Another is benefactor.– DavoJun 16, 2017 at 18:44
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Informally, "angel".– Greg LeeNov 29, 2017 at 13:33
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2 Answers
patron
a person who supports with money, gifts, efforts, or endorsement an artist, writer, museum, cause, charity, institution, special event, or the like
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/patron?s=t
Also: benefactor, supporter, sponsor, backer, protector
meacenas / mecenas
generous benefactor, typically a patron in literature or art.
This seems to be rarely used in English, but we do use it in Dutch (it's derived from the Latin word 'mecenas').
answered Nov 29, 2017 at 12:35
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1This would be a great answer on Dutch.SE, but I heartily recommend the OP to not use it in English.– MitchNov 29, 2017 at 13:19
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Define 'rare'. Why use a barely recognizable word to the vast majority of readers when a much more common word, 'patron' already exists? In certain academic circles (mostly classics) 'maecenas' would be perfectly fine, but outside of that would be pretentious at best.– MitchNov 30, 2017 at 14:35
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ok - agreed - fine with me :) I wasn't sure if people visiting a site like this like it (or not) to come across these rare (possibly pretentious :)) words.. Dec 1, 2017 at 15:08
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at Thieme: oh sure, we're totally into rare pretentious words. Where else can you go for that? I'm just adding the nuance about it so that people who read this and have never heard the term before have an idea of really how it is used. In English it is more often used as the proper name of Horace's patron rather than metaphorically as a patron in general.– MitchDec 1, 2017 at 15:16