Tolerance
Etymology
From Latin "tolerantia" (endurance, a bearing), from "tolerare" (to bear, endure, put up with). The root sense of enduring a burden is essential and often forgotten: tolerance implies something felt as unwelcome. In engineering it keeps that literal sense — a "tolerance" is how much deviation a part can bear.
noun · /TOL-er-uhns/
The willingness to permit beliefs, practices, or people one dislikes or disagrees with.
What it names
Use it for the specific virtue of enduring what you would rather did not exist — restraint from suppressing what you disapprove of.
Example
Real tolerance was letting the group meet in the hall even though he found their views repellent.
Related idea
Acceptance embraces or affirms; tolerance merely permits, and quietly presumes disapproval — you tolerate what you do not endorse. Confusing the two flattens a useful distinction: a pluralist society may require tolerance without demanding acceptance.
noun · /TOL-er-uhns/
The permissible amount by which a measurement may vary from a standard.
What it names
an allowable margin of variation in manufacture
Example
The part must be machined to a tolerance of half a millimeter.
Related idea
How much deviation a design will ‘tolerate’; compare margin.
noun · /TOL-er-uhns/
A diminished response to a drug or stress after repeated exposure, so more is needed for the same effect.
What it names
the body’s reduced sensitivity from repeated exposure
Example
Regular users build up a tolerance and need larger doses.
Related idea
Compare dosage, side-effect.