Why is a patient called a patient?

By Jojo
@Sojourn (13832)
India
May 4, 2019 11:43am CST
Hello Mylotters, Happy Saturday to you all. So the discussion topic is a bit quirky . But I would still like to have some opinions (however illogical it may be ) regarding the question put in the title . I think he/she is expected to be patient for getting cured of the disease. My mind is happy today as we have been planning for a trip in upcoming July with family. It might be a week long domestic trip to a beach. My father particularly trying to avoid the mountains as it will be the monsoon season and chances of landslides might be there. Are you planning to go anywhere in the coming months?
13 people like this
15 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
4 May 19
The question in the title is far from illogical. The word 'patient' (as a noun) comes from the present participle of the Latin verb 'patior', meaning "I am suffering". It is when one uses the word as an adjective that the logic is hard to find and one needs patience to discover it. Of course, it is because a patient person 'suffers' the pain of waiting for something to happen without complaining. Does that mean, therefore, that an 'impatient' person ('in-' is Latin prefix meaning 'not' and it becomes 'im-' before words beginning with 'm', 'p' and 'b') is not suffering? Ah, that is where language ceases to be particularly logical! Also, the word 'suffer' has changed its meaning in English. It used to mean 'to tolerate' or 'allow' as well as to experience pain or something unpleasant. It was a worry to me, as a child, that Jesus should 'suffer the little children' to come to him. Surely, he meant that he wanted them to come to him? I am not planning to go anywhere. I am patiently waiting for the mountains to come to me.
3 people like this
@Sreekala (34314)
• India
8 May 19
Happy to get this information from you. Thank you so much.
2 people like this
@Sojourn (13832)
• India
4 May 19
I guessed so,it has something to do with being patient. Your research on the etymology is comprehensive and exhaustive yet again.
3 people like this
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
4 May 19
Lol ya because they need to be patient haha... We're planning to visit my sister and family
2 people like this
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
5 May 19
@Sojourn yes. It'll be relaxing. So where are you going finally?
2 people like this
@Sojourn (13832)
• India
6 May 19
@ShifaLk Haven't finalised yet, but probably to any hill stations within India.
2 people like this
@Sojourn (13832)
• India
5 May 19
Ya, lol, It is always good to visit family.
2 people like this
@akalinus (40322)
• United States
4 May 19
I am ready to go somewhere but don't have any plans.
2 people like this
@Sojourn (13832)
• India
4 May 19
Okay.....regarding my original question do you have anything to say?
2 people like this
@akalinus (40322)
• United States
9 May 19
@Sojourn They have to patiently wait for the nurse to help them, for the food carts to bring them something to eat, for the doctor to sign them out, and for transportation to take them home.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (40322)
• United States
9 May 19
@Sojourn You did ask us if we are planning to go anywhere.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
7 May 19
I just returned from a long weekend in Miami Beach.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
7 May 19
2 people like this
@Sojourn (13832)
• India
7 May 19
That's good.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 May 19
I think they are called a patient because they have to be very patient. :)
2 people like this
@JudyEv (323672)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 May 19
@Sojourn Great minds think alike!!
1 person likes this
@Sojourn (13832)
• India
5 May 19
That's exactly I guessed
2 people like this
@Sojourn (13832)
• India
5 May 19
@JudyEv Hehe, I'm flattered.
1 person likes this
@dya80dya (33053)
4 May 19
No, I don't plan anything.
2 people like this
@Sojourn (13832)
• India
4 May 19
Summer might be a pleasant season in your country
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
4 May 19
We wanted to visit Sweden during the summer, but my husband is too busy, so we will postpone the trip and travel later instead. I think we will stay here most of the summer and maybe visit some friends or spend time on the beach.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
5 May 19
Have not been on a holiday for awhile now and no plans yet
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15731)
• Canada
4 May 19
I have to be the least patient on the planet and as far as a vacation... we are still in the thinking mode... but just maybe!!!
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (133739)
• Roseburg, Oregon
7 May 19
The patient has something wrong with them and that is why they are called a patient and the Doctor is the one who takes care of them.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111956)
• United States
4 May 19
yes if the weather gets any better.Once the Summer weather sets in.We head off to the beack.some walking in the trail etc
2 people like this
• Peoria, Arizona
4 May 19
The question is, which version of the word came first, did someone have to become patient or were they a patient. Probably the word having to be patient came way before being a patient. Nope, no plans! I never go on vacation haha
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28650)
• Philippines
5 May 19
He/she has to be patient in waiting to be attended too :)
1 person likes this
@Babino (5761)
• Morocco
5 May 19
i always thought we call them patients because w make them wait in the waiting room not really, gonna stay at my small town tilll the end of Ramadan then visit my family ! enjoy your trip !!
1 person likes this
@Sreekala (34314)
• India
8 May 19
I have no idea. This year we have no plans for travelling as my son has classes and entrance exams during the summer vacation.