Toleration

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Toleration \Tol`er*a"tion\, n. [L. toleratio: cf. OF.
     toleration.]
     1. The act of tolerating; the allowance of that which is not
        wholly approved.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. Specifically, the allowance of religious opinions and
        modes of worship in a state when contrary to, or different
        from, those of the established church or belief.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Hence, freedom from bigotry and severity in judgment of
        the opinions or belief of others, especially in respect to
        religious matters.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  toleration
       n 1: a disposition to tolerate or accept people or situations;
            "all people should practice toleration and live together
            in peace" [syn: {acceptance}, {sufferance}]
       2: official recognition of the right of individuals to hold
          dissenting opinions (especially in religion)

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  TOLERATION. In some. countries, where religion is established by law, 
  certain sects who do not agree with the established religion are 
  nevertheless permitted to exist, and this permission is called toleration. 
  Those are permitted and allowed to remain rather as a matter of favor than a 
  matter of right. 
       2. In the United States, there is no such a thing as toleration, all 
  men have an equal right to worship God according to the dictates of their 
  own consciences. See Christianity; Conscience; Religious test.