different between understanding vs sufferance

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?nd??stand??/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??nd??stænd??/
• Rhymes: -ænd??
• Hyphenation: un?der?stand?ing

Noun

understanding (countable and uncountable, plural understandings) (with of, but with for in sense of "sympathy")

1. (gerund, uncountable) The act of one that understands or comprehends; comprehension; knowledge; discernment.
2. (countable) Reason or intelligence, ability to grasp the full meaning of knowledge, ability to infer.
3. (countable) Opinion, judgement or outlook.

4. (countable) An agreement of minds; harmony; something mutually understood or agreed upon.
   1. An informal contract; mutual agreement.

   2. A reconciliation of differences.

5. (uncountable) Sympathy.

Derived terms

• peace that passeth understanding

Translations

See also

• intellection

Adjective

understanding (comparative more understanding, superlative most understanding)

1. Showing compassion.
2. (dated) Knowing; skilful.

Translations

Verb

understanding

1. present participle of understand

English

Alternative forms

• sufferaunce (obsolete)

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman suffraunce, from Late Latin sufferentia.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?s?f(?)??ns/

Noun

sufferance (countable and uncountable, plural sufferances)

1. (archaic) Endurance, especially patiently, of pain or adversity.
2. Acquiescence or tacit compliance with some circumstance, behavior, or instruction.
   • 1594, Richard Hooker, Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie

     Somewhiles by sufferance, and somewhiles by special leave and favour, they erected to themselves oratories.

   • 1910, Arthur Quiller-Couch, Lady Good-for-Nothing, chapter 20:

     When his talk trespasses beyond sufferance, I chastise him.

3. (archaic) Suffering; pain, misery.
4. (obsolete) Loss; damage; injury.
5. (Britain, historical) A permission granted by the customs authorities for the shipment of goods.

Related terms

• on sufferance

Synonyms

• acquiesce

References