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sufferance definition

suf·fer·ance (suf′ər əns, suf′rəns)

noun

  1. the power or capacity to endure or tolerate pain, distress, etc.
  2. consent, permission, or sanction implied by failure to interfere or prohibit; toleration
  3. Archaic suffering

Etymology: ME < Anglo-Fr souffrance < OFr < LL(Ec) sufferentia < L sufferens, prp.: see suffer

sufferance Idioms

on sufferance

allowed or tolerated but not supported or encouraged

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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