ˈpā.trəˌnīz also ˈpa.- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: see -ize
Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French patroniser, from Medieval Latin patronizare, from Latin & Medieval Latin patronus patron + Latin -izare -ize — more at patron
1. : to act as patron of : favor , protect , support
he did feel real gratitude to the woman who had patronized his early ambition — Hilaire Belloc
2. obsolete : defend
3. obsolete : to lay responsibility for : father — used with upon
4. : to adopt an air of superiority and condescension toward : treat haughtily or superciliously
breaks through established formulas to please the judicious without patronizing the larger public — Saturday Review
5. : to trade or deal with habitually : be a customer or client of : use , frequent
a restaurant … patronized by democratic folk — P.B.Kyne
ranchmen patronize stores strung out over a large space — American Guide Series: Texas
we both patronized the city library — W.A.White
introductory astronomy is often a popular undergraduate course, although not as heavily patronized as other sciences — F.D.Miller