permit1

 

verb

Pronunciation: /pəˈmɪt/
(permits, permitting, permitted) [with object and infinitive]
  • officially allow (someone) to do something: 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 allow (something): the country is not ready to permit any rice imports
  • [with object] provide an opportunity or scope for (something) to take place; make possible: the car park was too rutted and stony to permit ball games [no object]: weather permitting, guests can dine outside on the veranda cycle parking stands are being installed, where space permits, at most rail stations
  • [no object] (permit of) formal allow for; admit of: the camp permits of no really successful defence

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈpəːmɪt/
[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

Derivatives

permittee

Pronunciation: /pəːmɪˈtiː/
noun

permitter

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).