Willing to accept or allow beliefs, behaviors, or people that are different from your own. It can also describe the ability to handle difficult conditions, like a plant tolerant of cold.
From Latin 'tolerans' (present participle of 'tolerare' meaning 'to bear, endure'), via French 'tolerant.' The original idea was simply being able to endure something unpleasant. In social and political use, it shifted toward accepting differences without anger or punishment.
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