patronize: Meaning and Definition of

pa•tron•ize

Pronunciation: (pā'tru-nīz", pa'-), [key]
— -ized, -iz•ing.
  1. to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage; trade with.
  2. to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward: a professor who patonizes his students.
  3. to act as a patron toward (an artist, institution, etc.); support.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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