tolerant
Meaning: Willing to accept behaviour and beliefs different from one's own; able to endure difficult conditions without adverse effects.
Tolerant has social and scientific senses. Socially, it describes an openness to diversity — 'a tolerant society,' 'tolerant of different viewpoints.' The noun 'tolerance' and adjective 'tolerant' are central to debates about multiculturalism, free speech, and liberal values. In science, 'tolerant' describes organisms that can withstand adverse conditions — 'drought-tolerant crops,' 'heat-tolerant bacteria.' In medicine, 'drug-tolerant' means requiring higher doses for the same effect.
Examples
- The Netherlands has long been regarded as one of Europe's most tolerant and liberal societies. 荷兰长期以来被视为欧洲最宽容、最自由的社会之一。Los Países Bajos han sido considerados durante mucho tiempo una de las sociedades más tolerantes y liberales de Europa.オランダは長年にわたりヨーロッパで最も寛容でリベラルな社会の一つとみなされてきた。네덜란드는 오랫동안 유럽에서 가장 관용적이고 자유로운 사회 중 하나로 여겨져 왔다.
- She was remarkably tolerant of her noisy neighbours, rarely complaining about late-night music. 她对吵闹的邻居出奇地宽容,很少抱怨深夜的音乐声。Era notablemente tolerante con sus ruidosos vecinos y rara vez se quejaba de la música nocturna.彼女は騒がしい隣人に対して驚くほど寛大で、深夜の音楽について滅多に苦情を言わなかった。그녀는 시끄러운 이웃에 대해 놀라울 만큼 관대했으며, 심야 음악에 대해 좀처럼 불평하지 않았다.
- Scientists have developed drought-tolerant varieties of wheat suited to increasingly arid conditions. 科学家们开发出了适应日益干旱气候的耐旱小麦品种。Los científicos han desarrollado variedades de trigo resistentes a la sequía adaptadas a unas condiciones cada vez más áridas.科学者たちは、ますます乾燥化する環境に適した耐乾性小麦品種を開発した。과학자들은 점점 건조해지는 환경에 적합한 내건성 밀 품종을 개발했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, media, general
Tone: positive
Origin & History
From Latin tolerantem (enduring, bearing), present participle of tolerare (to bear, endure). Related to the Greek tlēnai (to bear). The social acceptance sense became prominent during the Enlightenment, particularly through John Locke's writings on toleration.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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