Long suffering is a two-word expression that means to endure pain, difficulty, or hardship for a long time. The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription of this word is /lɔːŋ ˈsʌfərɪŋ/. The first word, 'long,' is spelled with a [ɔː] vowel sound that is commonly found in words like 'song.' The second word, 'suffering,' is spelled with a [sʌfərɪŋ] that represents the various sounds found in this word, including the [s] sound, the [ʌ] vowel sound, and the [fərɪŋ] cluster.
Long suffering is an adjective that describes someone who exhibits exceptional patience, endurance, forbearance, and fortitude in the face of challenging circumstances or adverse situations. This term is often used to describe an individual's ability to withstand difficulties, hardships, or affronts, whether physical, emotional, or mental, over an extended period of time.
A long-suffering person exhibits remarkable resilience and tenacity in the face of provocation, mistreatment, or disappointment, without complaining or seeking revenge. They possess an extraordinary ability to maintain composure and remain steadfast in their beliefs or convictions when faced with adversity. Such individuals are often characterized by their ability to endure pain, hardship, or tribulation with grace and dignity, inspiring others with their strength of character.
Long-suffering can refer to a person enduring the difficulties of daily life, but it can also be associated with a specific context, such as within relationships or religious contexts. For instance, in a romantic relationship, a long-suffering partner may exhibit unwavering patience and understanding towards their significant other's flaws or shortcomings. Likewise, in a religious context, long suffering may be seen as a virtue reflecting the ability to bear hardships for the sake of spiritual growth or the betterment of others.
In summary, long-suffering describes an individual's remarkable patience, endurance, and fortitude in navigating life's challenges, often inspiring others by their ability to maintain composure and perseverance in adverse circumstances.
The word long suffering originates from the Old English word langsum which was a compound word formed by combining lang (meaning long) and sum (meaning affliction or suffering). It evolved over time and became longsum in Middle English, eventually transforming into the current spelling and pronunciation of long suffering.