v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Permitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Permitting. ] [ L. permittere, permissum, to let through, to allow, permit; per + mittere to let go, send. See Per-, and Mission. ] 1. To consent to; to allow or suffer to be done; to tolerate; to put up with. [ 1913 Webster ] What things God doth neither command nor forbid . . . he permitteth with approbation either to be done or left undone. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To grant (one) express license or liberty to do an act; to authorize; to give leave; -- followed by an infinitive. [ 1913 Webster ] Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Acts xxvi. 1. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To give over; to resign; to leave; to commit. [ 1913 Webster ] Let us not aggravate our sorrows,
But to the gods permit the event of things. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To allow; let; grant; admit; suffer; tolerate; endure; consent to. -- To Allow, Permit, Suffer, Tolerate. To allow is more positive, denoting (at least originally and etymologically) a decided assent, either directly or by implication. To permit is more negative, and imports only acquiescence or an abstinence from prevention. The distinction, however, is often disregarded by good writers. To suffer has a stronger passive or negative sense than to permit, sometimes implying against the will, sometimes mere indifference. To tolerate is to endure what is contrary to will or desire. To suffer and to tolerate are sometimes used without discrimination. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
