patronage

The support or encouragement of a patron, as for an institution or cause.

Support or encouragement proffered in a condescending manner.

The trade given to a commercial establishment by its customers.

Customers or patrons considered as a group; clientele.

The power to distribute or appoint people to governmental or political positions.

The act of distributing or appointing people to such positions.

The positions so distributed or filled.

The right to grant an ecclesiastical benefice to a member of the clergy.

The position of or the aid afforded by a patron; the countenance or support of a patron or of patrons: often used in the sense of countenance or favor shown in a patronizing or superciliously condescending way.