1. [n]  the semantic role of an entity that is not the agent but is directly involved in or affected by the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
2. [n]  a person who requires medical care; "the number of emergency patients has grown rapidly"
3. [adj]  enduring without protest or complaint
4. [adj]  enduring trying circumstances with even temper or characterized by such endurance; "a patient smile"; "was patient with the children"; "an exact and patient scientist"; "please be patient"

Patient
An English translation of Argentinian novelist Shua`s story about a young manwho admits himself into a state mental hospital.

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1. \Pa"tient\, a. [F., fr. L. patiens, -entis, p. pr. of
   pati to suffer. Cf. {Pathos}, {Passion}.]
   1. Having the quality of enduring; physically able to suffer
      or bear.
            Patient of severest toil and hardship. --Bp. Fell.
   2. Undergoing pains, trails, or the like, without murmuring
      or fretfulness; bearing up with equanimity against
      trouble; long-suffering.
   3. Constant in pursuit or exertion; persevering; calmly
      diligent; as, patient endeavor.
            Whatever I have done is due to patient thought.
                                                  --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.
   4. Expectant with calmness, or without discontent; not hasty;
      not overeager; composed.
            Not patient to expect the turns of fate. --Prior.
   5. Forbearing; long-suffering.
            Be patient toward all men.            --1 Thess. v.
                                                  14.
   

2. \Pa"tient\, n.
   1. ONe who, or that which, is passively affected; a passive
      recipient.
            Malice is a passion so impetuous and precipitate
            that often involves the agent and the patient.
                                                  --Gov. of
                                                  Tongue.
   2. A person under medical or surgical treatment; --
      correlative to physician or nurse.
            Like a physician, . . . seeing his patient in a
            pestilent fever.                      --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.
   {In patient}, a patient who receives lodging and food, as
      treatment, in a hospital or an infirmary.
   {Out patient}, one who receives advice and medicine, or
      treatment, from an infirmary.
   

3. \Pa"tient\, v. t.
   To compose, to calm. [Obs.] ``Patient yourself, madam.''
   --Shak.