Definition of "patronise" [patronise]

• To make a patron (verb)
• To treat as inferior unduly, talk down to, treat condescendingly. (verb)
• To make oneself a regular customer of a business. (verb)

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• "The clergyman, the district visitor, the professional slummer -- all the people who "patronise" -- never learn the truth, and they positively invite the wastrel classes to lie."
• "Swarmed around to "patronise" him, was the toughest of tough jobs."
• "But somehow, it got whispered about that the King had attempted to 'patronise' the poet, and that the poet had very indignantly resented the offered Royal condescension."