Im*pa"tient (?), a. [OE.
impacient, F. impatient, fr. L. impatiens; pref.
im- not + patiens patient. See Patient.]
1. Not patient; not bearing with composure;
intolerant; uneasy; fretful; restless, because of pain, delay, or
opposition; eager for change, or for something expected; hasty;
passionate; -- often followed by at, for, of,
and under.
A violent, sudden, and impatient
necessity.
Jer. Taylor.
Fame, impatient of extremes, decays
Not more by envy than excess of praise.
Pope.
The impatient man will not give himself time to
be informed of the matter that lies before him.
Addison.
Dryden was poor and impatient of
poverty.
Macaulay.
2. Not to be borne; unendurable. [Obs.]
Spenser.
3. Prompted by, or exhibiting, impatience;
as, impatient speeches or replies. Shak.
Syn. -- Restless; uneasy; changeable; hot; eager; fretful;
intolerant; passionate.
Im*pa"tient, n. One who is
impatient. [R.]
