Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PA'TIENCE, n. [pa'shens; Fr. from L. patientia, from patior, to suffer; It. pazienza; Sp. and Port. paciencia. The primary sense is continuance, holding out, from extending. Hence, we see the connection between pass, and L. pando, passus, and Gr. πατεω. See Pass.]

1. The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. Patience may spring from constitutional fortitude, from a kind of heroic pride, or from Christian submission to the divine will.
2. A calm temper which bears evils without murmuring or discontent.
3. The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent Have patience with me and I will pay thee all. – Matth. xviii.
4. Perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion. He learnt with patience, and with meekness taught. – Harte.
5. The quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge. His rage was kindled and his patience gone. – Harte.
6. Sufferance; permission. [Not used.] – Hooker.
7. A plant, a species of Rumex or dock. – Mortimer.