Patronage

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Patronage

(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.
(n.) Business custom.
(n.) Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.
(n.) The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.
(n.) The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson.
(v. t.) To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend.