Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLI'ENT, n. [Fr. client; It. cliente; Sp. id.; L. cliens.]

1. Among the Romans, a citizen who put himself under the protection of a man of distinction and influence who, in respect to that relation, was called his patron. Hence in modern usage,
2. One who applies to a lawyer or counselor for advice and direction in a question of law, or commits his cause to his management in prosecuting a claim, or defending against a suit, in a court of justice. – Bacon. Taylor.
3. A dependent. – B. Jonson.