a. [ OE. impacient, F. impatient, fr. L. impatiens; pref. im- not + patiens patient. See Patient. ] 1. Not patient; not bearing with composure; intolerant; uneasy; fretful; restless, because of pain, delay, or opposition; eager for change, or for something expected; hasty; passionate; -- often followed by at, for, of, and under. [ 1913 Webster ] A violent, sudden, and impatient necessity. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ] Fame, impatient of extremes, decays Not more by envy than excess of praise. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] The impatient man will not give himself time to be informed of the matter that lies before him. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] Dryden was poor and impatient of poverty. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Not to be borne; unendurable. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Prompted by, or exhibiting, impatience; as, impatient speeches or replies. Shak. Syn. -- Restless; uneasy; changeable; hot; eager; fretful; intolerant; passionate. [ 1913 Webster ] |