/'pætrənaɪz; [US] 'peɪt-; `petrən,aɪz/ v [Tn]
1 treat (sb) as an inferior; treat (sb) in a condescending way 以高人一等的态度对待（某人）; 屈尊俯就对待（某人）
*He resented the way she patronized him. 她待他那种屈尊纡贵的样子, 他十分愤恨.
2 (fml 文) be a regular customer of (a shop, etc) 作为老主顾经常去（某商店等）; 经常光顾、惠顾
*The restaurant is patronized by politicians and journalists. 这家饭馆常有政治家和记者光顾.
3 act as a patron(1) to (sb/sth); support or encourage (sb/sth) 做（某人[某事物]）的赞助人; 资助、赞助或支持（某人[某事物]）.

v [T]
to talk to someone in a way which seems friendly but shows that you think they are not as intelligent or do not know as much as you
　Don't patronize me!
　The program focuses on kids' interests without patronizing them.
formal to use or visit a shop, restaurant etc
to support or give money to an organization or activity