Main Entry: pa·tron·age

Pronunciation: \ˈpa-trə-nij, ˈpā-\

Function: noun

Date: 14th century

1 : advowson
2 : the support or influence of a patron
3 : kindness done with an air of superiority
4 : business or activity provided by patrons <the new branch library is expected to have a heavy patronage>
5 a : the power to make appointments to government jobs especially for political advantage b : the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage c : jobs distributed by patronage