Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PA'TIENT, n.

1. A person or thing that receives impressions from external agents; he or that which is passively affected. Malice is a passion so impetuous and precipitate, that it often involves the agent and the patient. – Gov. of the Tongue.
2. A person diseased or suffering bodily indisposition. It is used in relation to the physician; as, the physician visits his patient morning and evening.
3. It is sometimes used absolutely for a sick person. It is wonderful to observe how inapprehensive these patients are of their disease. – Blackmore.