Patronage - Definition

n 1: the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous
backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with
progressives" [syn: backing, backup, championship,
patronage]
2: customers collectively; "they have an upper class clientele"
[syn: clientele, patronage, business]
3: a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing
the recipient [syn: condescension, disdain, patronage]
4: (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making
appointments to office in return for political support
5: the business given to a commercial establishment by its
customers; "even before noon there was a considerable
patronage" [syn: trade, patronage]
v 1: support by being a patron of
2: be a regular customer or client of; "We patronize this
store"; "Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as
he could" [syn: patronize, patronise, patronage,
support, keep going]