— cliental /kluy en"tl, kluy"euhn tl/ , adj.
/kluy"euhnt/ , n.
1. a person or group that uses the professional advice or services of a lawyer, accountant, advertising agency, architect, etc.
2. a person who is receiving the benefits, services, etc., of a social welfare agency, a government bureau, etc.
3. a customer.
4. anyone under the patronage of another; a dependent.
5. Computers. a workstation on a network that gains access to central data files, programs, and peripheral devices through a server.
6. See client state .
7. (in ancient Rome) a plebeian who lived under the patronage of a patrician.
adj.
8. being a regular customer: a client company.
9. economically, and often militarily, dependent upon a more prosperous, more powerful nation.
[ 1350-1400; ME client-, s. of cliens person seeking the protection or influence of someone powerful; perh. akin to clinare to bend (see INCLINE) ]