patient
/ˈpeɪʃ(ə)nt
/adjective
Able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious: be patient, your time will come a patient and painstaking approach...
- The people of Gloucester must have been affected by the patient suffering of their pastor.
- The Foss Basin is always a safe bet at this time of year and pike anglers have been reaping the rewards of a patient approach.
- This time, they are taking a more patient approach.
Synonyms
forbearing, uncomplaining, tolerant, long-suffering, resigned, stoical;
calm, composed, serene, even-tempered, tranquil, imperturbable, unexcitable, accommodating, understanding, indulgent, kind, considerate
informal unflappable, cool
rare longanimous, equanimous, inexcitable
persevering, persistent, tenacious, diligent, assiduous, indefatigable, dogged, determined, resolved, resolute, obstinate, insistent, single-minded, purposeful, pertinacious
noun
1A person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment: many patients in the hospital were more ill than she was...
- This could also open the way for hospitals to start charging patients for treatment.
- Hospital chiefs insist no patient suffered worse treatment because of the scandal.
- It could see patients being banned from treatment for up to a year in severe cases.
Synonyms
sick person, case, sufferer, victim;
invalid, convalescent, outpatient, day patient, inpatient, hospital patient;
the sick, the infirm
rare valetudinarian
2 Linguistics The semantic role of a noun phrase denoting something that is affected or acted upon by the action of a verb.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patient- 'suffering', from the verb pati.