- Today's Word
Forbearance
for-BAIR-uhns
Definition
(noun) Patient self-control; restraint in the face of provocation.
Example
Her forbearance during the negotiation earned everyone’s respect.
Fun Fact
Forbearance gets a lot of attention in finance (as in mortgage forbearance) and spiritual philosophy. In Buddhism and Stoicism, it’s considered a sign of deep inner strength—not weakness. Think of it as choosing not to strike back, even when you’re capable of doing so, because the bigger goal is peace over pride.
(adjective) Severe or strict in manner or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries; pleasingly simple and unadorned.
The monastery’s austere design — bare stone walls, minimal furniture, and no decoration — was intentional, meant to keep the monks focused on contemplation rather than comfort.
Austere comes from the Greek austēros, meaning “harsh” or “rough to the taste,” originally used to describe the bitter, drying quality of unripe fruit. The word passed into Latin as austerus and then into Old French before arriving in English in the 14th century. Its early use referred to physical sensations before expanding to describe strict, unadorned behavior and environments.