patient

[ pey-shuhnt ]

noun

1. a person who is under medical care or treatment.

   Synonyms: invalid

2. a person or thing that undergoes some action.
3. Archaic. a sufferer or victim.

adjective

1. bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, pain, etc., with fortitude and calm and without complaint, anger, or the like.

   Synonyms: uncomplaining, calm, passive, resigned, long-suffering

   Antonyms: hostile

2. characterized by or expressing such a quality:

   a patient smile.

   Synonyms: unexcited, composed, self-possessed, unruffled, serene, quiet

   Antonyms: agitated, impatient

3. quietly and steadily persevering or diligent, especially in detail or exactness:

   a patient worker.

   Synonyms: assiduous, sedulous

4. undergoing the action of another ( agent ).

patient

/ ˈpeɪʃənt /

adjective

1. enduring trying circumstances with even temper
2. tolerant; understanding
3. capable of accepting delay with equanimity
4. persevering or diligent

   a patient worker

5. archaic.
   admitting of a certain interpretation

noun

1. a person who is receiving medical care
2. rare.
   a person or thing that is the recipient of some action

Derived Forms

• ˈpatiently, adverb

Other Words From

• patient·less adjective
• patient·ly adverb
• patient·ness noun
• over·patient adjective
• quasi-patient adjective
• quasi-patient·ly adverb
• super·patient adjective
• super·patient·ly adverb
• un·patient adjective
• un·patient·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of patient¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English adjective and noun pacient, from Middle French, from Latin patient-, stem of patiēns, present participle of patī “to undergo, suffer, bear”; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of patient¹

C14: see patience

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. patient of,
   1. having or showing the capacity for endurance:

      a man patient of distractions.

   2. susceptible of:

      This statement is patient of criticism.

Example Sentences

That is take to nothing away from Australia's attack, who made the most of the conditions and stayed patient rather than chasing wickets.

From BBC

The idea is that this space that is created between the self and the parts can allow the patient to observe where the part is coming from, such as a traumatic experience in childhood.

From Salon

He told the inquiry, yes, he was scared, for his patient, and for himself, and that fear was still evident in his testimony six years on.

From BBC

But on a hot day this past July, more than 100 people gathered outside the Minnesota headquarters of UnitedHealthcare to protest the insurance firm's policies and denial of patient claims.

From BBC

Dr Gunter said this is a vulnerable patient group that may struggle with feelings of helplessness without access to treatment.

From BBC

Related Words

• calm
• forgiving
• gentle
• quiet
• tolerant