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
   "In 'The wind blew the leaves,' 'leaves' has the patient role";
   - affected role, patient role

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

Derived forms: patients

See also: diligent, enduring, forbearing, longanimous, long-suffering, 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