verb / noun
permit
pur-MIT/pərˈmɪt/
To allow something to happen or be done.
The attendant permits the visitor to enter through the open gate.
Etymology
“Through” and “let go” combine in the image of letting something pass rather than stopping it. The Latin verb already extended this idea to allowing an action or granting leave.
In context
the police's ordinary interest in solving crimes which is never enough to permit a suspicionless search we would never for example permit the police to search every lawfully stopped car
More examples
- We'll eat outside if the weather permits.
- The teacher permitted us to leave early.
- You need a building permit before construction can begin.
Forms
permit · permits · permitted · permitting
permission noun — Approval allowing someone to do something.
permissive adjective — Allowing considerable freedom with few restrictions.