catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Tolerance \Tol"er*ance\, n. [L. tolerantia: cf. F.
     tol['e]rance.]
     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]

  Tolerance \Tol"er*ance\, n. [L. tolerantia: cf. F.
     tol['e]rance.]
     1. The power or capacity of enduring; the act of enduring;
        endurance.
  
              Diogenes, one frosty morning, came into the market
              place, shaking, to show his tolerance. --Bacon.
  
     2. The endurance of the presence or actions of objectionable
        persons, or of the expression of offensive opinions;
        toleration.
  
     3. (Med.) The power possessed or acquired by some persons of
        bearing doses of medicine which in ordinary cases would
        prove injurious or fatal.
  
     Tolerance of the mint. (Coinage) Same as Remedy of the
        mint. See under Remedy.