forbearance

/fɔrˈbɛrɪns/

/fɔˈbɛrɪns/

Other forms: forbearances

When a teacher says, "Bear with me for a moment," while he writes on the board, he is asking for the class's forbearance. He wants them to wait patiently during the delay.

Forbearance also has a more technical, legal meaning — if you are owed money and you give someone extra time to get it to you, you're showing them forbearance. The word has nothing to do with actual bears, but if you think of one slumbering through its winter hibernation, that might help remember its meaning.

Definitions of forbearance

1. noun

   a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges; refraining from acting
   “his forbearance to reply was alarming”

   type of:

   delay, holdup

   the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
2. noun

   good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
   synonyms: longanimity, patience

   type of:

   good nature

   a cheerful, obliging disposition