patronage

Meanings

Noun

• The act of providing approval and support; backing; championship.
• Customers collectively; clientele; business.
• A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient; condescension; disdain.
• Granting favours or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support.
• Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.
• The right of nomination to political office.
• The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson.

Verb

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

Origin

• From Middle English patronage, from Old French patronage (modern French patronage). Equivalent to patron + -age.