Category:Patronage

Pa"tron*age, n. Etym: [f. patronage. Cf. Ll. patronaticum, and l. Patronatus.]

1. 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.

2. Business custom. [commercial cant]

3. Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care. Addison.

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

5. (eng. Law)

Defn: the right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; Advowson. Blackstone.

Patronage Pa"tron*age, v. t.

Defn: to act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. [obs.] Shak.