patronage

1. n. Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of letters; patronage given to an author. Source: opted

2. n. Business custom. Source: opted

3. n. Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care. Source: opted

4. n. The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor. Source: opted

5. n. The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson. Source: opted

6. v. t. To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. Source: opted

7. n. the act of providing approval and support Source: wordnet

8. n. customers collectively Source: wordnet

9. n. a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient Source: wordnet

10. n. (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support Source: wordnet

11. n. the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers Source: wordnet

12. v. support by being a patron of Source: wordnet

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