Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Client, Clyent, -ant, n. [e.m.E. and ME. client, clyent (also e.m.E. clyant), L. client-, cliens.]

1. The client of a legal adviser. 1555 Acts & Decr. XII. 364.
The defensis gevin in … for saidis clientis [by a procurator] 1604-9 Grahame Anat. Hum. 8 b.
As the young lawyer … weares the fore-breast of his gowne on the Bar … All this miserie proceeds of the want of clyants 1622-6 Bisset I. 165/12.
Quhat evir advocate tynis and amittis the peces or procese of his awin clyent … salbe haldin to ansueir

2. An adherent, follower, or dependant. a1578 Pitsc. I. 97/3.
The Earle of Crawfurd assemblit … ane great companie of his kin and freindis and clyantis Ib. 114/27.
He gart seik all clienttis and familiars … that favourit him 1596 Dalr. II. 271/30. Ib. 334/27.
The Gouernour makes to resist his forse, with sick clientis, number, and freindis as he mycht