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.

2. (n.) Business custom.

3. (n.) Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.

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

5. (n.) The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice.

6. (v. t.) To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend.

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