noun

1. Archaic a person dependent on another, as for protection or patronage
2. a person or company for whom a lawyer, accountant, advertising agency, etc. is acting
3. a customer
4. a person served by a social agency
5. a nation, state, etc. dependent on another politically, economically, etc.
   also client state
6. Comput. a terminal or personal computer that is connected to a server (sense )

Etymology: OFr < L cliens, follower, retainer < IE base *klei-, to lean, as in L clinare (see incline); basic sense, “one leaning on another (for protection)”