Etymology Map
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Patient

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means able to wait calmly; a person receiving medical care

Where does the word "patient" come from? It comes from Latin pati, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pati
Latin · ancient
"to suffer"
the root of 'passion'
2
Stage 2 of 3
pacient
Old French · medieval
"enduring"
one who endures suffering
3
Stage 3 of 3
patient
English · 1300s
"enduring"
the medical sense, one who suffers illness, followed
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Read the full story

Patient’s story begins in Latin: pati meant “to suffer.” The root of 'passion'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pacient. One who endures suffering. It reached English by 1300s as patient. The medical sense, one who suffers illness, followed. Today, patient means able to wait calmly; a person receiving medical care.