patient Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a person who requires medical care
- the number of emergency patients has grown rapidly
noun the semantic role of an entity that is not the agent but is directly involved in or affected by the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
affected role; patient role.
adjective enduring trying circumstances with even temper or characterized by such endurance
- a patient smile
- was patient with the children
- an exact and patient scientist
- please be patient

F., fr. L. patiens, -entis, p.pr. of pati to suffer. Cf. Pathos, Passion.

Having the quality of enduring; physically able to suffer or bear.
Patient of severest toil and hardship. Bp. Fell.
Undergoing pains, trails, or the like, without murmuring or fretfulness; bearing up with equanimity against trouble; long-suffering.
Constant in pursuit or exertion; persevering; calmly diligent; as, patient endeavor.
Whatever I have done is due to patient thought. Sir I. Newton.
Expectant with calmness, or without discontent; not hasty; not overeager; composed.
Not patient to expect the turns of fate. Prior.
Forbearing; long-suffering.
Be patient toward all men. 1 Thess. v. 14.

ONe who, or that which, is passively affected; a passive recipient.
Malice is a passion so impetuous and precipitate that often involves the agent and the patient. Gov. of Tongue.
A person under medical or surgical treatment; -- correlative to physician or nurse.
Like a physician, . . . seeing his patient in a pestilent fever. Sir P. Sidney.