PAT'RONAGE, noun Special countenance or support; favor or aid afforded to second the views of a person or to promote a design. 1. Guardianship, as of a saint. 2. Advowson; the right of presentation to a church or ecclesiastical benefice. PAT'RONAGE, verb transitive To patronize or support. [Not used.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI