patient

American  

[pey-shuhnt] / ˈpeɪ ʃənt /

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.

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adjective

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

   Synonyms:

   calm, passive, resigned, long-suffering, uncomplaining

   Antonyms:

   hostile

2. characterized by or expressing such a quality.

   a patient smile.

   Synonyms:

   composed, self-possessed, unexcited, 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 ).

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.

patient British  

/ 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

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noun

1. a person who is receiving medical care

2. rare a person or thing that is the recipient of some action

Other Word Forms

• overpatient adjective
• patientless adjective
• patiently adverb
• patientness noun
• quasi-patient adjective
• quasi-patiently adverb
• superpatient adjective
• superpatiently adverb
• unpatient adjective
• unpatiently adverb

Etymology

Origin of patient

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

Example Sentences

The researchers say that if this strategy can be adapted for patients, it could help people stay healthier as they age.

From Science Daily

Kluska had said then that it was a “potentially bullish signal” that patients who were on setrusumab were staying on the drug, suggesting it could be working.

From MarketWatch

It would take years and additional discoveries made by others to synthesize the hormone into an effective drug and to determine doses that didn’t make patients vomit.

From The Wall Street Journal

The genetic neuroscience company said the Food and Drug Administration had granted breakthrough therapy designation for ulixacaltamide, a treatment for patients with essential tremor.

From Barron's

The genetic neuroscience company said the Food and Drug Administration had granted breakthrough therapy designation for ulixacaltamide, a treatment for patients with essential tremor.

From Barron's

Related Words

• calm
• forgiving
• gentle
• quiet
• tolerant