Word Study
client
CIDE DICTIONARY
client, n. [L. cliens, -emtis, for cluens, one who hears (in relation to his protector), a client, fr. L. cluere to be named or called; akin to Gr. to hear, Skr. çry, and E. loud: cf. F. client. See Loud.].
- A citizen who put himself under the protection of a man of distinction and influence, who was called his patron. [1913 Webster]
- A dependent; one under the protection of another. [1913 Webster]"I do think they are your friends and clients,
And fearful to disturb you." [1913 Webster] - One who consults a legal adviser, or submits his cause to his management. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
client, n.
1 a person using the services of a lawyer, architect, social worker, or other professional person.
2 a customer.
3 Rom.Hist. a plebeian under the protection of a patrician.
4 archaic a dependant or hanger-on.
1 a person using the services of a lawyer, architect, social worker, or other professional person.
2 a customer.
3 Rom.Hist. a plebeian under the protection of a patrician.
4 archaic a dependant or hanger-on.
Derivative
clientship n.
Etymology
ME f. L cliens -entis f. cluere hear, obey
ROGET THESAURUS
client
Servant
N servant, subject, liegeman, servant, retainer, follower, henchman, servitor, domestic, menial, help, lady help, employe, attache, official, retinue, suite, cortege, staff, court, attendant, squire, usher, page, donzel, footboy, train bearer, cup bearer, waiter, lapster, butler, livery servant, lackey, footman, flunky, flunkey, valet, valet de chambre, equerry, groom, jockey, hostler, ostler, tiger, orderly, messenger, cad, gillie, herdsman, swineherd, barkeeper, bartender, bell boy, boots, boy, counterjumper, khansamah, khansaman, khitmutgar, yardman, bailiff, castellan, seneschal, chamberlain, major-domo, groom of the chambers, secretary, under secretary, assistant secretary, clerk, subsidiary, agent, subaltern, underling, understrapper, man, maid, maidservant, handmaid, confidente, lady's maid, abigail, soubrette, amah, biddy, nurse, bonne, ayah, nursemaid, nursery maid, house maid, parlor maid, waiting maid, chamber maid, kitchen maid, scullery maid, femme de chambre, femme fille, camarista, chef de cuisine, cordon bleu, cook, scullion, Cinderella, potwalloper, maid of all work, servant of all work, laundress, bedmaker, journeyman, charwoman, bearer, chokra, gyp (Cambridge), hamal, scout (Oxford), serf, vassal, slave, negro, helot, bondsman, bondswoman, bondslave, ame damnee, odalisque, ryot, adscriptus gleboe, villian, villein, beadsman, bedesman, sizar, pensioner, pensionary, client, dependant, dependent, hanger on, satellite, parasite, led captain, protege, ward, hireling, mercenary, puppet, tool, creature, badge of slavery, bonds, in the train of, in one's pay, in one's employ, at one's call, in bonds.Purchase
N purchase, emption, buying, purchasing, shopping, preemption, refusal, coemption, bribery, slave trade, buyer, purchaser, emptor, vendee, patron, employer, client, customer, clientele, purchased, caveat emptor, the customer is always right.For further exploring for "client" in Webster Dictionary Online
