Definition of: patient

(pā′shənt) adjective
1. Possessing quiet, uncomplaining endurance under distress or annoyance; long–suffering.
2. Tolerant, tender, and forbearing.
3. Capable of tranquilly awaiting events.
4. Capable of bearing: with of: patient of hunger.
5. Persevering.
—noun
1. A person undergoing treatment for disease or injury.
2. Anything passively affected; the object of external impressions or actions: opposed to agent. See synonyms under CHARITABLE, PASSIVE. [<OF pacient <L patiens, -entis, ppr. of patiri suffer]
—pa′tient·ly adverb