From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Patronize \Pa"tron*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Patronized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Patronizing}.]
1. To act as patron toward; to support; to countenance; to
favor; to aid.
[1913 Webster]
The idea has been patronized by two States only.
--A. Hamilton.
[1913 Webster]
2. To trade with customarily; to frequent as a customer.
[Commercial Cant]
[1913 Webster]
3. To assume the air of a patron, or of a superior and
protector, toward; -- used in an unfavorable sense; as, to
patronize one's equals.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
patronize
v 1: assume sponsorship of [syn: {sponsor}, {patronize},
{patronise}]
2: do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or
client of [syn: {patronize}, {patronise}, {shop}, {shop at},
{buy at}, {frequent}, {sponsor}] [ant: {boycott}]
3: treat condescendingly [syn: {patronize}, {patronise},
{condescend}]
4: 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}, {patronage},
{support}, {keep going}]
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