Patronage /(?)/

Pa·tron·age

Patronage

n.
  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.
  4. The right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.
  5. The right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson. (Eng. Law)

Patronage

v. t.
  1. To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. [Obs.]