First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1permit
verb per·mit \pər-ˈmit\
: to allow (something) to happen : to give permission for (something)
: to allow (someone) to do or have something
: to make something possible
per·mit·tedper·mit·ting
Full Definition of PERMIT
transitive verb
1
: to consent to expressly or formally <permit access to records>
2
: to give leave : authorize
3
: to make possible <the design permits easy access>
intransitive verb
: to give an opportunity : allow <if time permits>
— per·mit·tee \pər-ˌmi(t)-ˈtē, ˌpər-mi(t)-\ noun
— per·mit·ter noun
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Origin of PERMIT
Middle English permitten, from Latin permittere to let through, permit, from per- through + mittere to let go, send
2permit
noun per·mit \ˈpər-ˌmit, pər-ˈ\
Definition of PERMIT
1
: a written warrant or license granted by one having authority <a gun permit>
2
First Known Use of PERMIT
1682
3permit
noun per·mit \ˈpər-ˌmit, pər-ˈ\
Definition of PERMIT
: either of two pompanos (Trachinotus falcatus and T. goodei) that are important game fishes of temperate to tropical waters of the western Atlantic
Origin of PERMIT
perhaps by folk etymology from Spanish palometa, a kind of pompano, from diminutive of paloma dove, from Latin palumba, palumbes — more at palomino
First Known Use: circa 1945
PERMIT Defined for Kids
1permit
verb per·mit \pər-ˈmit\
per·mit·tedper·mit·ting
Definition of PERMIT for Kids
1
: to allow to happen or do : give permission
2
: to make possible : give an opportunity <We'll visit the museum if time permits.>
Word Root of PERMIT
The Latin word mittere, meaning “to send,” and its form missus give us the roots mit and miss. Words from the Latin mittere have something to do with sending. A missile is an object, such as a bullet, arrow, or rocket, that is sent through the air so as to hit a target. To emit is to send forth or give out. To omit, or leave out, is to send away so as to not be included. To permit, or allow, is to send something through without stopping it.
2permit
noun per·mit \ˈpər-ˌmit\
Definition of PERMIT for Kids
: a statement of permission (as a license or pass) <You need a parking permit.>
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