What does "patronage" mean?

Patronage: Business custom. [Commercial Cant]

Additional senses

  1. 2.Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care. Addison.
  2. 3.The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.
  3. 4.(Eng. Law) The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson. Blackstone.
  4. 5.To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. [Obs.] Shak.

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