Dictionary Information: Definition Patient - Description Meaning Thesaurus

Patient (Pa"tient) (?), a.
[F., fr. L. patiens, -entis, p.pr. of pati to suffer. Cf. Pathos, Passion.]

1. Having the quality of enduring; physically able to suffer or bear. "Patient of severest toil and hardship." Bp. Fell.
2. Undergoing pains, trails, or the like, without murmuring or fretfulness; bearing up with equanimity against trouble; long-suffering.
3. Constant in pursuit or exertion; persevering; calmly diligent; as, patient endeavor. "Whatever I have done is due to patient thought." Sir I. Newton.
4. Expectant with calmness, or without discontent; not hasty; not overeager; composed. "Not patient to expect the turns of fate." Prior.
5. Forbearing; long-suffering. "Be patient toward all men." 1 Thess. v. 14.

Patient (Pa"tient), n.

1. ONe who, or that which, is passively affected; a passive recipient. "Malice is a passion so impetuous and precipitate that often involves the agent and the patient." Gov. of Tongue.
2. A person under medical or surgical treatment; -- correlative to physician or nurse. "Like a physician, . . . seeing his patient in a pestilent fever." Sir P. Sidney.

-- In patient, a patient who receives lodging and food, as treatment, in a hospital or an infirmary.
-- Out patient, one who receives advice and medicine, or treatment, from an infirmary.

Patient (Pa"tient), v. t.

To compose, to calm. [Obs.] "Patient yourself, madam." Shak.