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

The coroner said staff in the facility had not been appropriately trained to care for patients with learning disabilities.

From BBC

Food pharmacies are exactly what their name suggests: Healthcare organizations and medical professionals provide patients with physical prescriptions for healthy foods along with resources highlighting the importance of a well-rounded diet.

From Salon

They said it did not mean the target was being dropped, but that patients must be prioritised according to "clinical need".

From BBC

It is understood that the review found that about 10 patients had potentially been affected.

From BBC

"Two patients were taken as priorities to major trauma centres."

From BBC

Related Words

• calm
• forgiving
• gentle
• quiet
• tolerant