patronize

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pa·tron·ize / ˈpātrəˌnīz; ˈpa-/ • v. 1. [often as adj.] (patronizing) treat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority: “She's a good-hearted girl,” he said in a patronizing voice she was determined not to be put down or patronized.2. frequent (a store, theater, restaurant, or other establishment) as a customer: restaurants remaining open in the evening were well patronized. ∎  give encouragement and financial support to (a person, esp. an artist, or a cause): local churches and voluntary organizations were patronized by the family.DERIVATIVES: pa·tron·i·za·tion / ˌpātrəniˈzāshən; ˌpa-/ n.pa·tron·iz·er n.pa·tron·iz·ing·ly / -ˌnīzing/ adv.

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