Silver Stick smiled at Luna, speaking to him in a patronising way.

By-and-by, having duly fulfilled his duty as showman, my companion, in a kindly, patronising way, sought to draw me out.

This may be at the root of your direct report's view that you are speaking to her in a patronising way.

With this elephantine compliment the Senator nodded in a patronising way and took himself off, while Stradella bowed politely at his departing back.

The actress was very gracious to her, and called her "child" in a pretty, patronising way, and patted her on the cheek.

He stood there swinging a ground-ash cane, and looking at her in a lordly, patronising way, the very personification no doubt of boyish beauty.

"You look nice, child," she remarked in her patronising way.