n. [ F. patience, fr. L. patientia. See Patient. ] 1. The state or quality of being patient; the power of suffering with fortitude; uncomplaining endurance of evils or wrongs, as toil, pain, poverty, insult, oppression, calamity, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] Strengthened with all might, . . . unto all patience and long-suffering. Col. i. 11. [ 1913 Webster ] I must have patience to endure the load. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Who hath learned lowliness From his Lord's cradle, patience from his cross. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The act or power of calmly or contentedly waiting for something due or hoped for; forbearance. [ 1913 Webster ] Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Matt. xviii. 29. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Constancy in labor or application; perseverance. [ 1913 Webster ] He learned with patience, and with meekness taught. Harte. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Sufferance; permission. [ Obs. ] Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ] They stay upon your patience. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. (Bot.) A kind of dock (Rumex Patientia), less common in America than in Europe; monk's rhubarb. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. (Card Playing) Solitaire. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Patience, Resignation. Patience implies the quietness or self-possession of one's own spirit under sufferings, provocations, etc.; resignation implies submission to the will of another. The Stoic may have patience; the Christian should have both patience and resignation. [ 1913 Webster ] |