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.-business custom.-guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care.-the right of nomination to political office; also, the offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer may bestow by favor.-the right of presentation to church or ecclesiastical benefice; advowson.-to act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend.