tolerance

n. [ L. tolerantia: cf. F. tolérance. ] 1. The power or capacity of enduring; the act of enduring; endurance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Diogenes, one frosty morning, came into the market place, shaking, to show his tolerance. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The endurance of the presence or actions of objectionable persons, or of the expression of offensive opinions; toleration. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Med.) The power possessed or acquired by some persons of bearing doses of medicine which in ordinary cases would prove injurious or fatal. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Forestry) Capability of growth in more or less shade. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

5. the allowed amount of variation from the standard or from exact conformity to the specified dimensions, weight, hardness, voltage etc., in various mechanical or electrical devices or operations; -- caklled also allowance specif.: (Coinage) The amount which coins, either singly or in lots, are legally allowed to vary above or below the standard of weight or fineness. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

6. (Biochemistry) the capacity to resist the deleterious action of a chemical agent normally harmful to the organism; as, the acquired tolerance of bacteria to anitbiotics. [ PJC ]

7. (Immunology) the acquired inability to respond with an immune reaction to an antigen to which the organism normally responds; -- called also immunotolerance, immunological tolerance, or immune tolerance. Such tolerance may be induced by exposing an animal to the antigen at a very early stage of life, prior to maturation of the immune system, or, in adults, by exposing the animal to repeated low doses of a weak protein antigen (low-zone tolerance), or to a large amount of an antigen (high-zone tolerance). [ PJC ]

Tolerance of the mint. (Coinage) Same as Remedy of the mint. See under Remedy. [ 1913 Webster ]