προστάτης προστάτης, ου, ὁ, προστῆναι one who stands before, a front-rank-man, Xen. a chief, leader of a party, Hdt.; ὁ πρ. τοῦ δήμου Thuc. generally, a president, ruler, Aesch., Eur., etc.; προστάται τῆς εἰρήνης its chief authors, Xen. one who stands before, a protector, guard, champion, πυλωμάτων Aesch., Soph., etc. at Athens, of a citizen who took care of the μέτοικοι, as the Rom. patronus took care of his clientes; προστάτην γράφεσθαί τινα to choose as oneʼs patron, Ar.; but, γράφεσθαι προστάτου to enter oneself by oneʼs patronʼs name, attach oneself to a patron, Soph. προστάτης θεοῦ one who stands before a god to entreat him, a suppliant, Soph.