Crossword Genius

So nurses against patient (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stoic

'patient' is the definition.
(stoic can mean patient or tolerating suffering)

'so nurses against' is the wordplay.
'so' becomes 'sic' ('so' in Latin).
'nurses' indicates putting letters inside (nurse can mean to hold onto or harbour).
'against' becomes 'to' (as in a lean-to, building leaning against anothe).
'sic' going around 'to' is 'STOIC'.

(Other definitions for stoic that I've seen before include "Greek in school" , "Long-suffering type; follower of Zeno" , "One able to endure hardship; philosopher" , "Greek philosopher" , "Unflappable type" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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