ˈkəstəmə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English custumer, costomer, partly from Middle French costumier, custumier tax collector, from Old French, from costume, custume custom + -ier -er; partly from Middle English custume, custom, costome custom + -er — more at custom
1. obsolete : a customs collector : a customhouse official
2.
a. : one that purchases some commodity or service
she had never seen that customer before
especially : one that purchases systematically or frequently
these countries are the largest customers of the United States products
lost most of her customers through neglect and rudeness
b. : one that patronizes or uses the services (as of a library, restaurant, or theater) : client
3. obsolete : prostitute
4. : an individual usually having some specified distinctive trait or traits that one has or may have some dealing, encounter, or relationship with
what sort of a customer is he?
compact of bone and gristle and grim insensitiveness, dangerous customers every one — Dorothy C. Fisher
the mule deer buck is an ugly customer — D.C.Peattie
a smooth customer , could look after himself — Rex Ingamells
5. : a fox that affords good sport in a hunt