patient

pa-tient · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person receiving medical treatment.

  2. 2.

    (Grammar) The semantic role of the entity affected by the action.

  3. 3.

    Able to wait calmly without complaint.

  4. 4.

    Persevering and careful.

Forms

plural: patients

Related words

Antonyms: impatient
See also: doctor, impatient, patience
Synonyms: case, sufferer

Etymology

From Old French pacient, from Latin patiens (genitive patientis), present participle of pati meaning "to suffer, endure." The medical noun sense developed from the idea of one who suffers or undergoes treatment.