from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tolerance \Tol"er*ance\, n. [L. tolerantia: cf. F.
tol['e]rance.]
1. The power or capacity of enduring; the act of enduring;
endurance.
[1913 Webster]
Diogenes, one frosty morning, came into the market
place, shaking, to show his tolerance. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
2. The endurance of the presence or actions of objectionable
persons, or of the expression of offensive opinions;
toleration.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Med.) The power possessed or acquired by some persons of
bearing doses of medicine which in ordinary cases would
prove injurious or fatal.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Forestry) Capability of growth in more or less shade.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
5. the allowed amount of variation from the standard or from
exact conformity to the specified dimensions, weight,
hardness, voltage etc., in various mechanical or
electrical devices or operations; -- caklled also
{allowance} specif.: (Coinage) The amount which coins,
either singly or in lots, are legally allowed to vary
above or below the standard of weight or fineness.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
6. (Biochemistry) the capacity to resist the deleterious
action of a chemical agent normally harmful to the
organism; as, the acquired tolerance of bacteria to
anitbiotics.
[PJC]
7. (Immunology) the acquired inability to respond with an
immune reaction to an antigen to which the organism
normally responds; -- called also {immunotolerance},
{immunological tolerance}, or {immune tolerance}. Such
tolerance may be induced by exposing an animal to the
antigen at a very early stage of life, prior to maturation
of the immune system, or, in adults, by exposing the
animal to repeated low doses of a weak protein antigen
({low-zone tolerance}), or to a large amount of an antigen
({high-zone tolerance}).
[PJC]
{Tolerance of the mint}. (Coinage) Same as {Remedy of the
mint}. See under {Remedy}.
[1913 Webster]