from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sufferance \Suf"fer*ance\, n. [OE. suffrance, OF. sufrance,
soufrance, F. souffrance, L. sufferentia, from sufferens,
-entis, p. pr. of sufferre. See {Suffer}.]
1. The state of suffering; the bearing of pain; endurance.
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He must not only die the death,
But thy unkindness shall his death draw out
To lingering sufferance. --Shak.
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2. Pain endured; misery; suffering; distress.
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The seeming sufferances that you had borne. --Shak.
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3. Loss; damage; injury. [Obs.]
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A grievous . . . sufferance on most part of their
fleet. --Shak.
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4. Submission under difficult or oppressive circumstances;
patience; moderation. --Chaucer.
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But hasty heat tempering with sufferance wise.
--Spenser.
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5. Negative consent by not forbidding or hindering;
toleration; permission; allowance; leave. --Shak.
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In their beginning they are weak and wan,
But soon, through sufferance, grow to fearful end.
--Spenser.
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Somewhiles by sufferance, and somewhiles by special
leave and favor, they erected to themselves
oratories. --Hooker.
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6. A permission granted by the customs authorities for the
shipment of goods. [Eng.]
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{Estate of sufferance} (Law), the holding by a tenant who
came in by a lawful title, but remains, after his right
has expired, without positive leave of the owner.
--Blackstone.
{On sufferance}, by mere toleration; as, to remain in a house
on sufferance.
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Syn: Endurance; pain; misery; inconvenience; patience;
moderation; toleration; permission.
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