Etymology First attested in the first half of the 18th century; either borrowed from French intolérant (early 17th century) or from its source, Latin intolerāns. By surface analysis, in- + tolerant (itself only attested from the 1780s).
1
Unable or indisposed to tolerate, endure or bear.
2
Medicine, SciencesOften, Postpositional Unable to digest food or be given substances of a certain composition without adverse effects.
Near-synonym: allergic
I am intolerant of lactose, so I can't drink milk
4 more examples
I am lactose-intolerant, so I can't drink milk.
When our bodies no longer create the enzyme needed to break down lactose, we can become intolerant to it.2013, Sarah Taylor, Vegetarian to Vegan: Give Up Dairy, Give Up Eggs for Good:
The oak, as is well known, is a slow-growing, dicotyledonous tree of peculiar spreading habit, and very intolerant of shade.1892, Harry Marshall Ward, The Oak: A Popular Introduction to Forest-botany:
The powers of human bodies being limited and intolerant of excesses.1751, John Arbuthnot, An Essay Concerning the Effects of Air on Human Bodies:
3
Not tolerant; close-minded about new or different ideas; indisposed to tolerate contrary opinions or beliefs; impatient of dissent or opposition; denying or refusing the right of private opinion or choice in others; inclined to persecute or suppress dissent.
Whilſt Congregationaliſts in England were complaining of the intolerant ſpirit of Epiſcopalians there1769, A collection of original papers relative to the History of the colony of Maſſachusets-bay, Boston, New England: Thomas and John Fleet, page 399:
They ſhewed their intolerant ſpirit by demanding a ſtrict execution of the penal laws againſt Catholics1778, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2nd edition, volume II, Edinburgh, page 1406:
Etymology First attested in the first half of the 18th century; either borrowed from French intolérant (early 17th century) or from its source, Latin intolerāns. By surface analysis, in- + tolerant (itself only attested from the 1780s).
1
One who is intolerant; a bigot.
[…] a portion of the prejudice which darkened the spirits of these intolerants, might perhaps have cast its shadow over him.1856, John David Chambers, Strictures, legal and historical, on the judgment of the Consistory Court of London, in December, 1855, in the Case of Westerton Versus Liddell: