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