on sufferance
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Sufferance — Suf fer*ance, n. [OE. suffrance, OF. sufrance, soufrance, F. souffrance, L. sufferentia, from sufferens, entis, p. pr. of sufferre. See {Suffer}.] 1. The state of suffering; the bearing of pain; endurance. [1913 Webster] He must not only die the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
sufferance — suf·fer·ance / sə frəns, fə rəns/ n: consent or sanction implied by a lack of interference or failure to enforce a prohibition see also estate at sufferance at estate 1 tenancy at sufferance at tenancy … Law dictionary
sufferance — [suf′ər əns, suf′rəns] n. [ME < Anglo Fr souffrance < OFr < LL(Ec) sufferentia < L sufferens, prp.: see SUFFER] 1. the power or capacity to endure or tolerate pain, distress, etc. 2. consent, permission, or sanction implied by failure … English World dictionary
sufferance — c.1300, enduring of hardship, affliction, etc., also allowance of wrongdoing, from O.Fr. suffrance, from L.L. sufferentia, from sufferre (see SUFFER (Cf. suffer)) … Etymology dictionary
sufferance — *permission, leave Analogous words: toleration, endurance (see corresponding verbs at BEAR): acquiescence, resignation, compliance (see under COMPLIANT) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
sufferance — ► NOUN ▪ absence of objection rather than genuine approval; toleration … English terms dictionary
sufferance — noun /sʌ.fɚ.əns/ a) Endurance, especially patiently, of pain or adversity. I indulged in this meditation for a moment, and then again addressed the mourner, who stood leaning against the bed with that expression of resigned despair, of complete… … Wiktionary
sufferance — suf|fer|ance [ˈsʌfərəns] n on sufferance formal if you live or work somewhere on sufferance, you are allowed to do it by someone who would prefer you did not do it ▪ He was never going to let her forget she was only here on sufferance … Dictionary of contemporary English
sufferance — [[t]sʌ̱frəns[/t]] N UNCOUNT: usu on N If you are allowed to do something on sufferance, you can do it, although you know that the person who gave you permission would prefer that you did not do it. His party held office on sufferance... The… … English dictionary
sufferance — noun on sufferance formal if you live or work somewhere on sufferance, you are allowed to do it by someone who would rather you did not do it: Martha made it clear I was only staying with them on sufferance … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
sufferance — Endurance of pain or distress, physical or mental. Toleration; acquiescence. See bill of sufferance; estate by sufferance; tenancy at sufferance … Ballentine's law dictionary
