sufferance

[ suhf-er-uhns, suhf-ruhns ]

noun

1. passive permission resulting from lack of interference; tolerance, especially of something wrong or illegal (usually preceded by on or by ).
2. capacity to endure pain, hardship, etc.; endurance.
3. Archaic. suffering; suffering; misery.
4. Archaic. patient endurance.

sufferance

/ ˈsʌfərəns; ˈsʌfrəns /

noun

1. tolerance arising from failure to prohibit; tacit permission
2. capacity to endure pain, injury, etc
3. the state or condition of suffering
4. archaic.
   patient endurance
5. on sufferance
   on sufferance with reluctance

Other Words From

• non·suf·fer·ance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sufferance¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sufferaunce, sufferanse, from Old French so(u)france, from Late Latin sufferentia, equivalent to suffer(re) to suffer + -entia -ence, -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of sufferance¹

C13: via Old French from Late Latin sufferentia endurance, from Latin sufferre to suffer

Example Sentences

Having no tenure, and his future career being at the sufferance of her political enemies, objectively he lacked independence.

From The Daily Beast

It was after Amadeo had thrown down his crown, exclaiming, "A son of Savoy does not wear a crown on sufferance!"

From Project Gutenberg

Thus he sat, dejection and despair stamped on his homely face; haughty, yet a suppliant; a king, yet only by sufferance.

From Project Gutenberg

It was hard to realize that he could see Blent now only by another's will or sufferance.

From Project Gutenberg

He glanced with sufferance at the window, which offered a close-range view of a whitewashed wall.

From Project Gutenberg

All these cottages and allotments have only been held on sufferance, on good behaviour, and hence they have failed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ability
• capacity
• courage
• fortitude
• grit
• mettle
• patience
• perseverance
• persistence
• stamina
• strength
• tenacity
• tolerance
• vitality