Main Entry:

¹pa·tient

Pronunciation:

\ˈpā-shənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English pacient, from Anglo-French, from Latin patient-, patiens, from present participle of pati to suffer; perhaps akin to Greek pēma suffering

Date:

14th century

1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint2: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain3: not hasty or impetuous4: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity5 a: able or willing to bear —used with of b: susceptible, admitting <patient of one interpretation>

— pa·tient·ly adverb