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permit1

Syllabification: (per·mit)
Translate permit | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of permit

verb

Pronunciation: /pərˈmit/
(permits, permitting, permitted)
  • give authorization or consent to (someone) to do something: [with object and infinitive]:the law permits councils to monitor any factory emitting smoke [with two objects]:he would not permit anybody access to the library
  • [with object] authorize or give permission for (something):the country is not ready to permit any rice imports
  • [with object] (of a thing, circumstance, or condition) provide an opportunity or scope for (something) to take place; make possible:some properties are too small to permit mechanized farming [no object]:when weather permits, lunches are served outside
  • [no object] (permit of) dated allow for; admit of:the camp permits of no really successful defense

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈpərmit/
[often with modifier]
  • an official document giving someone authorization to do something:he is only in Britain on a work permit

Phrases

permit me

dated used for politeness before making a suggestion or expressing an intention:permit me to correct you

—— permitting

if the specified thing does not prevent one from doing something:weather permitting, guests can dine outside on the veranda

Derivatives

permittee

Pronunciation: /ˌpərmiˈtē/
noun

permitter

Pronunciation: /pərˈmitər/
noun

Origin:

late Middle English (originally in the sense 'commit, hand over'): from Latin permittere, from per- 'through' + mittere 'send, let go'

Spelling rule

If a verb ends with a single vowel plus a consonant, and the stress is at the end of the word (as in refer), double the last letter when adding -ing or -ed: (permits, permitting, permitted).

permit in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of permit in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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Word of the day

enjambement

/ ɪnˈdʒam(b)m(ə)nt /
noun
(in verse) the continuation of a sentence without a pause …