Sŭf'fer-ance, n.
n. [Fr. souffrance, Pr. sufransa, sofransa, sufrensa, sofrensa, It. sofferenza, Lat. sufferentia, from sufferens, p. pr. of sufferre.]
Sense 1. The state of suffering; the bearing of pain; endurance; pain endured; misery.
He must not only die, But thy unkindness shall the death draw out To lingering sufferance. Shak.
Sense 2. Submission under difficult or oppressive circumstances; patience; moderation.
But hasty heat tempering with sufferance wise. Spencer.
Sense 3. Negative consent by not forbidding or hindering; toleration; permission; allowance.
In their beginning they are weak and wan, But soon, through sufferance, grow to fearful end. Spencer.
In process of time, sometimes by sufferance, sometimes by special leave and favor, they erected to themselves oratories. Hooker.
Estate at 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. — Sufferance-wharf, a wharf licensed by the customs, and where custom-house officers attended. Simmonds.
Synonyms— Endurance; pain; misery; inconvenience; patience; moderation; toleration; permission.