n. [ L. intolerantia impatience, unendurableness: cf. F. intolérance. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Lack of capacity to endure; as, intolerance of light. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The quality of being intolerant; refusal to allow to others the enjoyment of their opinions, chosen modes of worship, and the like; lack of patience and forbearance; illiberality; bigotry; as, intolerance shown toward a religious sect. [ 1913 Webster ]

These few restrictions, I hope, are no great stretches of intolerance, no very violent exertions of despotism. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A physiological condition in which lactose cannot be hydrolyzed in the intestine, leading to uncomfortable gaseousness, cramps, or diarrhea after eating a lactose-containing food such as milk or ice cream. The symptoms may be prevented by ingesting a preparation of beta-galactosidase before or together with dairy products. [ PJC ]

n. [ L. tolerantia: cf. F. tolérance. ] 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 ]