Permit
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /pəˈmɪt (verb); IPA: /ˈpÉ™Ëmɪt/ (noun)
- US IPA: /pəɹˈmɪt (verb); IPA: /ˈpəɹmɪt/ (noun)
Origin 1
From Latin permittÅ ("give up, allow"), from per ("through") + mittÅ ("send").
Full definition of permit
Verb
- (now archaic, rare) To hand over, resign (something to someone). from 15th c.
- AddisonLet us not aggravate our sorrows,
But to the gods permit the event of things. - (transitive) To allow (something) to happen, to give permission for. from 15th c.
- 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 4, Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda.
- 1930, "Presbytarians", Time, 19 Dec 1930:Last week the decision on two points was conclusive: the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. will not permit ordination of women as ministers, but will permit their election as ruling elders, permission which makes possible a woman as moderator.
- (transitive) To allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to. from 15th c.
- 2009, Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 17 Jan 09, p. 1:He was ultimately cleared, but during that period, Mr. Ackman said, his lawyers would not permit him to defend himself publicly.
- (intransitive) To allow for, to make something possible. from 16th c.
- 2006, Mary Riddell, "Trident is a Weapon of Mass Destruction", The Observer, 3 Dec 06:What was left to say? Quite a lot, if only parliamentary time permitted.
- 2009, John Mitchell, "Clubs Preview", The Guardian, 25 Jul 09:For snackage there's a 1950s-themed diner plus a barbie on the terrace, weather permitting.
- (intransitive) To allow, to admit (of). from 18th c.
- 1910, ‘Saki’, "Reginald in Russia", Reginald in Russia:‘You English are always so frivolous,’ said the Princess. ‘In Russia we have too many troubles to permit of our being light-hearted.’
- 2007, Ian Jack, The Guardian, 22 Sep 07:"As an instrument of economic policy, incantation does not permit of minor doubts or scruples."
- (transitive, pronounced like noun) To grant formal authorization for (something).The Building Department permitted that project last week.
- (transitive, pronounced like noun) To attempt to obtain or succeed in obtaining formal authorization for (something).We've been busy permitting the State Street development.
Usage notes
This is a catenative verb that in the active form takes the gerund (-ing), but in passive takes the to infinitive. See
Noun
permit
(plural permits)- (obsolete) Formal permission. 16th-19th c.
- An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal. from 17th c.A construction permit can be obtained from the town offices.Go over to the park office and get a permit for the #3 shelter.
Related terms
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈpÉ™Ëmɪt/
Origin 2
An irregular borrowing from Spanish palometa, probably from a Doric variant of Ancient Greek πηλαμÏÏ‚ (pilamus, "young tuna").