Etymology Map
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Patience

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the ability to wait calmly

Where does the word "patience" come from? It comes from Latin patientia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
patientia
Latin · ancient
"endurance"
from 'pati', to suffer
2
Stage 2 of 3
pacience
Old French · medieval
"patience"
one of the Christian virtues
3
Stage 3 of 3
patience
English · 1200s
"endurance"
the card game 'patience' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Patience’s story begins in Latin: patientia meant “endurance.” From 'pati', to suffer. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pacience. One of the Christian virtues. It reached English by 1200s as patience. The card game 'patience' dates from the 1800s. Today, patience means the ability to wait calmly.