Patient

Definition

The term "patient" refers to a person receiving medical care or treatment. It can also describe someone who is able to remain calm and tolerant, especially in challenging or delayed situations.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpeɪ.ʃənt/
• Respelling: PAY-shuhnt

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈpeɪ.ʃənt/
• Respelling: PAY-shuhnt

Etymology

The word "patient" originates from the Latin "patiens," meaning "suffering" or "enduring," derived from "patior" (to suffer, endure). It entered Middle English in the 14th century, where it referred both to a person receiving medical care and to the quality of enduring hardship with calmness.

Derivatives

• Patience (noun)
• Patiently (adverb)
• Impatient (adjective)
• Impatience (noun)
• Overpatient (adjective, rare)

Synonyms

• Calm (adjective usage)
• Enduring
• Recipient (noun usage)

Antonyms

• Impatient (adjective usage)
• Frustrated
• None (noun usage)

Usage

The term "patient" is used in healthcare contexts ("The doctor is seeing a patient") and in descriptions of behavior ("She remained patient despite the long wait").

Related Terms

• Caregiver: A person providing medical or emotional support to a patient.
• Hospital: A facility where patients receive medical care.
• Tolerance: The capacity to endure delays or challenges.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A person receiving medical care or treatment: Refers to someone under the care of a healthcare provider.
  • Example: "The patient was admitted to the hospital for observation."

Adjective

• Capable of enduring difficulty or delay without complaint: Describes a calm and tolerant disposition.
  • Example: "She was patient while waiting for the results."
• Showing perseverance and diligence: Refers to carefully and persistently completing a task.
  • Example: "He was patient in solving the complex puzzle."