Patronage

Part of speech: noun (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. Addison.

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. Blackstone.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. [Obs.] Shak.