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 work stoppage, which affects service and patient care workers at all UC campuses and medical facilities, will continue until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times

Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data.

From Los Angeles Times

Her team decided to try low-dose sodium oxybate, after some patients told them their symptoms improved after a few alcoholic drinks.

From BBC

"Synthetic tissues could have endless medical applications, ranging from testing potential drugs or therapies to providing grafts or transplants for patients."

From Science Daily

Peterson explains it's important to address these comorbidities to ensure patients receive proper treatment.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• calm
• forgiving
• gentle
• quiet
• tolerant