patronage
     n 1: the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous
          backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with
          progressives" [syn: {backing}, {backup}, {championship}]
     2: customers collectively; "they have an upper class clientele"
        [syn: {clientele}, {business}]
     3: a communication that indicates lack of respect by
        patronizing the recipient [syn: {condescension}, {disdain}]
     4: (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making
        appointments to office in return for political support
     5: the business given to a commercial establishment by its
        customers; "even before noon there was a considerable
        patronage" [syn: {trade}]
     v 1: support by being a patron of
     2: be a regular customer or client of; "We patronize this
        store"; "Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long
        as he could" [syn: {patronize}, {patronise}, {support}, {keep
        going}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0