Definitions of patient:

• noun:   a person who requires medical care

  Example: "The number of emergency patients has grown rapidly"

• noun:   the semantic role of an entity that is not the agent but is directly involved in or affected by the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
• adjective:   enduring trying circumstances with even temper or characterized by such endurance

  Example: "A patient smile"

• adjective:   enduring without protest or complaint
• name:  A surname (very rare: popularity rank in the U.S.: #69269)