What things God doth neither command nor forbid . . . he permitteth with approbation either to be done or left undone. Hooker.

Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Acis xxvi. 1.

Let us not aggravate our sorrows,
But to the gods permit the event of things. Addison.

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.