patronage

Meanings

1. The act of providing approval and support; backing; championship.
2. Customers collectively; clientele; business.
3. The act or state of being a customer of some business.
4. A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient; condescension; disdain.
5. Granting favours or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support.
6. Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.
7. The right of nomination to political office.
8. The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson.
9. Patronising speech or behaviour.

1. To support by being a patron of.
2. To be a regular customer or client of; to patronize

Etymology

From Middle English patronage, from Old French patronage (modern French patronage). Equivalent to patron + -age. Piecewise doublet of patternage.