Entity

An entity is:


 * 1) "[e]ither a subject (an active element that operates on information or the system state) or an object (a passive element that contains or receives information)."


 * 1) "[a]n active element in an open system."


 * 1) "[a]ny participant in an authentication exchange; such a participant may be human or nonhuman, and may take the role of a claimant and/or verifier."