Definition of permission

< permissible

permissive >

per·mis·sion    (pr-mshn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. The act of permitting.
2. Consent, especially formal consent; authorization.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin permissi, permissin-, from permissus, past participle of permittere, to permit ; see permit

SYNONYMS:
permission, authorization, consent, leave², license, sanction

These nouns denote approval for a course of action that is granted by one in authority: was refused permission to smoke; seeking authorization to begin construction; gave their consent to the marriage; will ask leave to respond to the speaker; was given license to depart; gave sanction to the project.
Antonym: prohibition