long-sufferance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ArchaicFormal/Literary/Archaic
Quick answer
What does “long-sufferance” mean?
The patient endurance of provocation, hardship, or annoyance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The patient endurance of provocation, hardship, or annoyance; forbearance in the face of repeated offenses.
The quality or state of tolerating difficult or adverse circumstances over an extended period without complaint or retaliation; an archaic or formal term for patience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic in both varieties. No significant regional difference in modern usage, though it might appear marginally more often in British historical or liturgical contexts.
Connotations
Carries a slightly biblical or Shakespearean connotation. Implies a degree of virtue or resignation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary corpora. Almost entirely supplanted by 'patience', 'forbearance', or 'endurance'.
Grammar
How to Use “long-sufferance” in a Sentence
[Subject] showed remarkable long-sufferance towards [Object].The [Event/Behavior] required immense long-sufferance.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. 'Patience' or 'resilience' are preferred.
Academic
Might appear in historical, theological, or literary analysis discussing older texts.
Everyday
Not used in modern everyday conversation.
Technical
No technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “long-sufferance”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “long-sufferance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “long-sufferance”
- Confusing it with the adjective 'long-suffering'. Using it in modern contexts sounds unnatural. Misspelling as 'longsufferance' without a hyphen.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Long-suffering' is an adjective ('a long-suffering spouse'). 'Long-sufferance' is a now-archaic noun meaning the state or quality of being long-suffering.
It is not recommended for general use as it sounds archaic. Use 'patience', 'forbearance', or 'endurance' instead for clarity.
It comes from Middle English, combining 'long' and 'sufferance' (from Anglo-French 'souffrance'). It was common in Early Modern English, notably used in the King James Bible and Shakespeare's works.
Trying to use it as a modern synonym for 'patience' in everyday contexts, which sounds unnatural and stilted.
The patient endurance of provocation, hardship, or annoyance.
Long-sufferance is usually formal/literary/archaic in register.
Long-sufferance: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɒŋ ˈsʌf(ə)rəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɔːŋ ˈsʌf(ə)rəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The long-sufferance of Job (biblical reference).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LONG' time + 'SUFFER'ing = LONG-SUFFERANCE – the state of suffering something for a long time.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATIENCE IS A CONTAINER (that holds provocation); ENDURANCE IS A BURDEN BEARING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'long-sufferance' most appropriately used today?