Available Definitions:
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; advowson.
6) v. t. - To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend.