by Shimbo Patriot [pey-tree-uh t, -ot or, esp. British, pa-tree-uh t] noun 1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion. 2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of individual rights, against presumed interference by government. For too long now, the word “patriot” was synonymous with the image of…