allowance

Tolerance Tol"er*ance, n. [L. tolerantia: cf. F. tol['e]rance.] 1. The power or capacity of enduring; the act of enduring; endurance. [1913 Webster]

Diogenes, one frosty morning, came into the market place, shaking, to show his tolerance. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

2. The endurance of the presence or actions of objectionable persons, or of the expression of offensive opinions; toleration. [1913 Webster]

3. (Med.) The power possessed or acquired by some persons of bearing doses of medicine which in ordinary cases would prove injurious or fatal. [1913 Webster]

4. (Forestry) Capability of growth in more or less shade. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

5. the allowed amount of variation from the standard or from exact conformity to the specified dimensions, weight, hardness, voltage etc., in various mechanical or electrical devices or operations; -- caklled also {allowance} specif.: (Coinage) The amount which coins, either singly or in lots, are legally allowed to vary above or below the standard of weight or fineness. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

6. (Biochemistry) the capacity to resist the deleterious action of a chemical agent normally harmful to the organism; as, the acquired tolerance of bacteria to anitbiotics. [PJC]

7. (Immunology) the acquired inability to respond with an immune reaction to an antigen to which the organism normally responds; -- called also {immunotolerance}, {immunological tolerance}, or {immune tolerance}. Such tolerance may be induced by exposing an animal to the antigen at a very early stage of life, prior to maturation of the immune system, or, in adults, by exposing the animal to repeated low doses of a weak protein antigen ({low-zone tolerance}), or to a large amount of an antigen ({high-zone tolerance}). [PJC]

{Tolerance of the mint}. (Coinage) Same as {Remedy of the mint}. See under {Remedy}. [1913 Webster]