Webster's English Dictionary

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patient

1. pa.tient \'pa--sh*nt\ aj [ME pacient, fr. MF, fr. L patient-, patiens, 
   fr. prp. of ]pati to suffer; akin to L paene almost, penuria need, Gk pe-ma 
   suffering 1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint  2: 
   manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain  3: steadfast despite 
   opposition, difficulty, or adversity  4: able or willing to bear - used 
   with of  5: SUSCEPTIBLE, ADMITTING {~ of one interpretation}  - pa.tient.ly 
   av
2. patient n 1a: an individual awaiting or under medical care and treatment 
    1b: the recipient of any of various personal services {found the beauty s 
   hop filled with ~s} 2: one that is acted upon