The Only Use of
patronize
in
The Importance of Being Earnest
- [In a very patronising manner.†
Act 1unconventional spelling: This is the British spelling. Americans spell it patronizing.
Definitions:
-
(1)
(patronize as in: Don't patronize me.) treat in a manner that demonstrates a sense of superiority, but is supposed to seem kind
or:
the actions of a patron (to support someone or something; or to be a customer) -
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely, patronize can mean to "give business to" as in "I don't patronize that restaurant because the owner is rude."