Why is a patient called a patient? Is it because they wait alot?

[Arbor Vitae]

So seriously, why is the word patient used to name the physician's customers? Is it because they have to wait around for the doctor all day? Because quite frankly, if you've ever been a patient, you spend most of your time waiting. I understand the word patient refers to "one who suffers," but is there some dark humor here referring to one who waits?

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[487806]

So seriously, why is the word patient used to name the physician's customers? Is it because they have to wait around for the doctor all day? Because quite frankly, if you've ever been a patient, you spend most of your time waiting. I understand the word patient refers to "one who suffers," but is there some dark humor here referring to one who waits?

Patients are patiently waiting for life or death?

 

[fides]

So seriously, why is the word patient used to name the physician's customers? Is it because they have to wait around for the doctor all day? Because quite frankly, if you've ever been a patient, you spend most of your time waiting. I understand the word patient refers to "one who suffers," but is there some dark humor here referring to one who waits?

Medicinal trolling at its best my friend, Doctors the 1st trolls to ever exist.

 

[def1]

You're actually on to something here.

"patient (adj.) Look up patient at Dictionary.com
mid-14c., "enduring without complaint," from O.Fr. pacient and directly from L. patientem (see patience). Related: Patiently."

source - http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=patient&allowed_in_frame=0

Although I'd so most patients don't fall into this category cuz they ALL complain

 

[Arbor Vitae]

You're actually on to something here.

"patient (adj.) Look up patient at Dictionary.com
mid-14c., "enduring without complaint," from O.Fr. pacient and directly from L. patientem (see patience). Related: Patiently."

source - http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=patient&allowed_in_frame=0

Although I'd so most patients don't fall into this category cuz they ALL complain

I know, I looked up the etymology too, and it sounds like it was used in medicine first before it was used to refer to the act of waiting.

 

[ErrantWhatever]

The Latin verb "to suffer" is "pati," and the present participle is "patiens." So a "patient" is a "suffering one."

The summation of 9 semesters of Latin: one sdn post.

...ouch...

 

[Geebeejay]

The Latin verb "to suffer" is "pati," and the present participle is "patiens." So a "patient" is a "suffering one."

The summation of 9 semesters of Latin: one sdn post.

...ouch...

And the sad part is I found this information with a quick google/wikipedia search.

Speaking Latin is pretty bad-ass though....and you could also become an Other if the opportunity ever arose.

 

[Arbor Vitae]

The Latin verb "to suffer" is "pati," and the present participle is "patiens." So a "patient" is a "suffering one."

The summation of 9 semesters of Latin: one sdn post.

...ouch...

But to be patient is to to be able to tolerate the passage of time. So how did that definition come about?

 

[Geebeejay]

But to be patient is to to be able to tolerate the passage of time. So how did that definition come about?

No it doesn't. You have it backward - "tolerating the passage of time" is a false definition that has developed from the original definition, which was posted by Errant. To be patient is to suffer.

 

[ErrantWhatever]

And the sad part is I found this information with a quick google/wikipedia search.

Speaking Latin is pretty bad-ass though....and you could also become an Other if the opportunity ever arose.

Dharma tried picking me up years ago, but they said I'd be a bad fit due to my irrational fear of smoke monsters and general distaste for wandering, interminable plot lines.

 

[plumhill]

very few of the patients i work with are "patient" about waiting. if a nurse, doctor or pca doesn't show within 10 minutes, the IVs start getting pulled out and the raging begins.

 

[Arbor Vitae]

No it doesn't. You have it backward - "tolerating the passage of time" is a false definition that has developed from the original definition, which was posted by Errant. To be patient is to suffer.

dude, that is what I'm asking. There is an adjective form and a noun form. I'm asking how did the adjective form evolve from the noun form.

 

[deleted393595]

So seriously, why is the word patient used to name the physician's customers? Is it because they have to wait around for the doctor all day? Because quite frankly, if you've ever been a patient, you spend most of your time waiting. I understand the word patient refers to "one who suffers," but is there some dark humor here referring to one who waits?

 

[Geebeejay]

dude, that is what I'm asking. There is an adjective form and a noun form. I'm asking how did the adjective form evolve from the noun form.

Probably from the same way that words like "gay" became to mean something other than "homosexual" or "showy/happy". Because people started using it differently as part of a trend, and it developed a new meaning that is separate from its original intended definition and use.