Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sufferance \Suf"fer*ance\, n. [OE. suffrance, OF. sufrance,
   soufrance, F. souffrance, L. sufferentia, from sufferens,
   -entis, p. pr. of sufferre. See {Suffer}.]
   1. The state of suffering; the bearing of pain; endurance.

            He must not only die the death, But thy unkindness
            shall his death draw out To lingering sufferance.
                                                  --Shak.

   2. Pain endured; misery; suffering; distress.

            The seeming sufferances that you had borne. --Shak.

   3. Loss; damage; injury. [Obs.]

            A grievous . . . sufferance on most part of their
            fleet.                                --Shak.

   4. Submission under difficult or oppressive circumstances;
      patience; moderation. --Chaucer.

            But hasty heat tempering with sufferance wise.
                                                  --Spenser.

   5. Negative consent by not forbidding or hindering;
      toleration; permission; allowance; leave. --Shak.

            In their beginning they are weak and wan, But soon,
            through sufferance, grow to fearful end. --Spenser.

            Somewhiles by sufferance, and somewhiles by special
            leave and favor, they erected to themselves
            oratories.                            --Hooker.

   6. A permission granted by the customs authorities for the
      shipment of goods. [Eng.]

   {Estate of sufferance} (Law), the holding by a tenant who
      came in by a lawful title, but remains, after his right
      has expired, without positive leave of the owner.
      --Blackstone.

   {On sufferance}, by mere toleration; as, to remain in a house
      on sufferance.

   Syn: Endurance; pain; misery; inconvenience; patience;
        moderation; toleration; permission.