patronize

1.patronize在商业文件里往往用作“向…惠顾”或“向…赐顾”解。例如：They have patronized us for years.和Helen never failed to patronize the grocer when she appeared at his shop.（每次到那食品商的店铺，海伦都会在他那儿买些东西的。）

2.patronize往往作“向（某人）以在上者自居而表示垂爱”解，就是“以傲慢的谦和态度对待（某人）”。例如：You have no right to patronize me, we are equals.和Seeing that I was a mere boy, he talked to me in a patronizing manner.参见condescend(ing)