tolerance

tol·er·ance

noun \ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s, ˈtäl-rən(t)s\

Definition of TOLERANCE

1

: capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina

2

a : sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own b : the act of allowing something : toleration

3

: the allowable deviation from a standard; especially : the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece

4

a (1) : the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (as a drug) or a physiological insult especially with repeated use or exposure <developed a tolerance to painkillers>; also : the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen (2) : relative capacity of an organism to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor b : the maximum amount of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or in food

Examples of TOLERANCE

1. a tolerance for other lifestyles
2. The plants have a high tolerance for heat.
3. Some patients gradually develop a tolerance for the drug and need to be given a larger dose.
4. Some patients develop greater tolerance for the drug's effects.

First Known Use of TOLERANCE

15th century

Related to TOLERANCE

Synonyms: forbearance, long-suffering, sufferance, patience

Antonyms: impatience

Related Words: acquiescence, resignation; passiveness, passivity; amenability, compliance, conformism, docility, obedience, subordination, tractability, willingness; discipline, self-control; submission, submissiveness

Near Antonyms: defiance; contrariness, disobedience, insubordination, intractability, recalcitrance, resistance, willfulness

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