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long-sufferance

[ lawng-suhf-er-uhns, -suhf-ruhns, long- ]
/ ˈlɔŋˈsʌf ər əns, -ˈsʌf rəns, ˈlɒŋ- /
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noun Archaic.
long-suffering.
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Origin of long-sufferance

First recorded in 1520–30

Words nearby long-sufferance

long splice, longspur, longstanding, long-stemmed, Longstreet, long-sufferance, long-suffering, long suit, long sweetening, long tail, long-tailed cuckoo
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT LONG SUFFERANCE

What does long-sufferance mean?

Long-sufferance is an outdated term for long–suffering—the patient endurance of negative situations without complaint. It can refer to a quality, an ability, or an instance of such endurance.

The term is considered an archaic version of long-suffering, meaning it was commonly used in an earlier time but is rare in current usage.

Long-suffering is often used in situations in which someone has endured pain, injury, illness, hardship, tragedy, or difficulty in accomplishing something. In religious contexts, it’s discussed as a virtue, especially one involving being patient and slow to get angry. A close synonym is forbearance.

The term long-suffering is also commonly used as an adjective to describe someone who patiently endures negative situations for long periods of time without complaining.

Example: The text describes several virtues that are considered the most important, including steadfastness and long-sufferance.

Where does long-sufferance come from?

The first records of the term long-sufferance come from around 1400. It uses the word sufferance in the way that we now use suffering (but sufferance is no longer used this way). In long-sufferance, it isn’t necessarily used in the sense of experiencing agonizing physical or emotional pain. It can refer to this, but the suffering experienced isn’t necessarily this intense.

Long-suffering can be used in a range of situations, ranging from patiently tolerating annoyances to enduring long periods of serious illness. However, long-sufferance has traditionally been used in more serious situations, or in religious discussion of virtues.

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What are some synonyms for long-sufferance?

What are some words that share a root or word element with long-sufferance? 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing long-sufferance?

 

How is long-sufferance used in real life?

Long-sufferance is rarely used today, but it’s modern synonym long-suffering is common.

 

Try using long-sufferance!

Which of the following terms is a synonym of long-sufferance?

A. long-suffering
B. forbearance
C. endurance
D. all of the above

How to use long-sufferance in a sentence

  • The Great God, in His long-sufferance, told him to ponder further upon the parable of the giant tree.

    Folk-Tales of the Khasis|K. U. Rafy

  • The result of her labors and long-sufferance had hitherto been but misfortune and failure.

    Mary Wollstonecraft|Elizabeth Robins Pennell

  • Still he could not prevail upon himself to accept her generosity, though conscious he was undeserving of her long-sufferance.

    Cleo The Magnificent|Louis Zangwill
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