late 14c., "right of presenting a qualified person to a church benefice," from Old French patronage (14c.) from patron (see patron). Secular sense of "action of giving influential support" is from 1550s. General sense of "power to give jobs or favors" is from 1769; meaning "regular business of customers" is 1804.
双语例句
1. Patronage of the arts comes from businesses and private individuals.
对艺术的资助来自企业和个人。
来自《权威词典》
2. Though it was not yet noon, there was considerable patronage.
