- sufferance⇄expr. on sufferance, allowed or tolerated, but not really wanted; under conditions of passive acquiescence or bare tolerance.
Ex. They were a Ministry on sufferance when they appealed to the country (Justin McCarthy). - sufferance⇄sufferance, noun.
1. permission or consent given only by a failure to object or prevent.
2. power to bear or endure; patient endurance.
3. (Archaic.) suffering.