[pa.tron.age] n (14c) 1: advowson
2: the support or influence of a patron
3: kindness done with an air of superiority
4: business or activity provided by patrons "the new branch library is expected to have a heavy ~"
5. a: the power to make appointments to government jobs esp. for political advantage b: the distribution of jobs on the basis of patronage c: jobs distributed by patronage