clĭentēla, ae, f. [cliens],
I the relation of patron and client , clientship; patronage , protection; the intimate and reciprocal duties of attachment and interest, based on the private relations in Rome between a Roman of a lower grade (plebeian or freedman) or a foreigner, and the patron chosen by him (cf. Dion. Halic. 2, 9 and 10, pp. 83- 85; Gell. 5, 13; 20, 1): Thais patri se commendavit in clientelam et fidem, * Ter. Eun. 1039; cf.: esse in fide et clientelā. to be the client of , Cic. Rosc. Am. 33, 93: conferre se in fidem et clientelam alicujus, id. ib. 37, 106: scis quam diligam Siculos et quam illam clientelam honestam judicem, id. Att. 14, 12, 1: per nomen et clientelas inlustrior haberi, Tac. A. 3, 55.—
b Very freq., mostly in plur., concrete, clients , dependents : amplissimas clientelas acceptas a majoribus confirmare poterit, Cic. Fam. 13, 64, 2; so id. Cat. 4, 11, 23: magna esse Pompei beneficia et magnas clientelas in provinciā sciebat, bodies of clients , Caes. B. C. 2, 17; Sall. J. 85, 4; Vell. 2, 29; Tac. A. 3, 55: incedentibus regiis clientelis, id. ib. 12, 36; 13, 37; 14, 61; Suet. Tib. 2; id. Calig. 3.—In sing., Just. 8, 4, 8. —
B In gen., clientship , alliance (cf. cliens, B.), Caes. B. G. 6, 12.—
II Trop. (cf. cliens, II.), patronage , protection : poëtae sub clientelā musarum esse, Suet. Gram. 6.