sufferance

UK: /ˈsʌfərəns/

US: /ˈsʌfərəns, ˈsʌfrəns/

US: (suf′ər əns, suf′rəns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

suf•fer•ance /ˈsʌfərəns, ˈsʌfrəns/   n. [uncountable]

1. permission extended passively by not interfering.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

suf•fer•ance  (suf′ər əns, suf′rəns), n. 

1. passive permission resulting from lack of interference;
   tolerance, esp. of something wrong or illegal (usually prec. by on or by).
2. capacity to endure pain, hardship, etc.;
   endurance.
3. [Archaic.] suffering;
   misery.
4. [Archaic.] patient endurance.

• Late Latin sufferentia, equivalent. to suffer(re) to suffer + -entia -ence, -ance
• Old French soufrance,
• Middle English suffrance 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sufferance / ˈsʌfərəns ˈsʌfrəns/ noun

1. tolerance arising from failure to prohibit; tacit permission
2. capacity to endure pain, injury, etc
3. the state or condition of suffering
4. on sufferance ⇒ with reluctance

Etymology: 13th Century: via Old French from Late Latin sufferentia endurance, from Latin sufferre to suffer