Permit
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
(2) Large game fish; found in waters of the West Indies
(3) A legal document giving official permission to do something
verb
(4) Consent to, give permission
"She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband"
"I won't let the police search her basement"
"I cannot allow you to see your exam"
(5) Allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting
"We don't allow dogs here"
"Children are not permitted beyond this point"
"We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital"
(6) Make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
"This permits the water to rush in"
"This sealed door won't allow the water come into the basement"
"This will permit the rain to run off"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
, from , from .
Usage notes
- This is a catenative verb that in the active form takes the gerund (-ing), but in passive takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs