PERMIT', L. permitto per and mitto, to send.
1. To allow to grant leave or liberty to by express consent. He asked my leave and I permitted him.
2. To allow by silent consent or by not prohibiting to suffer without giving express authority. The laws permit us to do what is not expressly or impliedly forbid.
What God neither commands nor forbids, he permits with approbation to be done or left undone.
3. To afford ability or means. Old age does not permit us to retain the vigor of youth. The man's indigence does not permit him to indulge in luxuries.
4. To leave to give or resign.
Let us not aggravate our sorrows,
But to the gods permit the event of things.
The latter sense is obsolete or obsolescent.
PERMIT', n. A written license or permission from the custom house officer or other proper authority, to export or transport goods or to land goods or persons.
1. Warrant leave permission.