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sufferance

 - 3 dictionary results

suf⋅fer⋅ance

  [suhf-er-uhns, suhf-ruhns]
Use sufferance in a Sentence
–noun
1. passive permission resulting from lack of interference; tolerance, esp. of something wrong or illegal (usually prec. by on or by).
2. capacity to endure pain, hardship, etc.; endurance.
3. Archaic. suffering; misery.
4. Archaic. patient endurance.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME suffrance < OF soufrance, < LL sufferentia, equiv. to suffer(re) to suffer + -entia -ence, -ance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sufferance
suf·fer·ance   (sŭf'ər-əns, sŭf'rəns)   
n.  

  1. Patient endurance, especially of pain or distress.

  2. Suffering; misery.

  3. Sanction or permission implied or given by failure to prohibit; tacit consent; tolerance.


[Middle English suffrance, from Old French sufrance, from Latin sufferentia, from sufferēns, sufferent-, present participle of sufferre, to suffer; see suffer.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: suf·fer·ance
Pronunciation: 's&-fr&ns, -f&-r&ns
Function: noun
: consent or sanction implied by a lack of interference or failure to enforce a prohibition —see also estate at sufferance at ESTATE 1 tenancy at sufferance at TENANCY
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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