WordWeb Online

1. A person who requires medical care
   "the number of emergency patients has grown rapidly"
    
2. The semantic role of an entity that is not the agent but is directly involved in or affected by the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
   - affected role, patient role

1. Enduring trying circumstances with even temper or characterized by such endurance
   "a patient smile"; "was patient with the children"; "an exact and patient scientist"; "please be patient"

Derived forms: patients

See also: diligent, enduring, forbearing, longanimous, long-suffering, patient of, perseverant, persevering, tolerant, uncomplaining, unhurried

Type of: case, diseased person, participant role, semantic role, sick person, sufferer

Antonym: impatient

Part of: doctor-patient relation, nurse-patient relation

Encyclopedia: Patient