patroness

noun

1. A female patron goddess or saint.

   “And Night, the patronesse of love-stealth fayre, / Gave them safe conduct, till to end they came.”

   “As a young girl, Sor Juana felt protected by Minerva's wisdom and knowledge, and this may explain why she felt connected to this goddess who was patroness of both wisdom and, “persons engaged in the learned professions.””

2. (broadly, dated)A woman who sponsors or supports a given activity, person etc.; a female patron.

   “If I buy a ticket for a Flower Show, or a Music Show, or any sort of Show, and pay pretty heavy for it, why am I to be Patroned and Patronessed as if the Patrons and Patronesses treated me?”

   “Miscellaneous Functions. (Edited by Malcolm C. Fraser, Department Historian, 176 Railroad Ave., White Plains, N. Y.) Past. March 21. Major Louis B. Lawton Camp No. 39 held its annual sausagefest at Krause's Tavern, Auburn. April 13. Manhattan Camp No. 1 entertained the patronesses of the Camp at the 12th Regiment Armory, New York City, with refreshments, song and dance.”

   “But a diary here and there survives from which we may see the patroness more closely and less romantically.”

verb

1. To support or sponsor as a patroness.

   “If I buy a ticket for a Flower Show, or a Music Show, or any sort of Show, and pay pretty heavy for it, why am I to be Patroned and Patronessed as if the Patrons and Patronesses treated me?”

   “on a following page there is half a column devoted to a forthcoming fashion show, patronessed by well-known New York society women yet frankly and baldly for the purposes of trade and advertisement—how ironical the announcement, “for the benefit of our soldiers at the front!"”

   “The second outstanding encouragement is the growing number of Circles organized and "patronessed" by members of the Chapters.”

   “Subsequent comments were equally cordial from those who patronized and those who patronessed, though the agreement was general that in the future a little more floor space would not be wasted.”