/suf"euhr euhns, suf"reuhns/ , 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.
[ 1250-1300; ME suffrance soufrance, sufferentia, equiv. to suffer ( re ) to SUFFER + -entia -ENCE, -ANCE ]