First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
permissive
adjective per·mis·sive \pər-ˈmi-siv\
: giving people a lot of freedom or too much freedom to do what they want to do
Full Definition of PERMISSIVE
1
archaic : granted on sufferance : tolerated
2
a : granting or tending to grant permission : tolerant b : deficient in firmness or control : indulgent, lax
3
: allowing discretion : optional <reduced the permissive retirement age from 65 to 62>
— per·mis·sive·ly adverb
— per·mis·sive·ness noun
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Origin of PERMISSIVE
Middle English permyssyf, from Middle French permissif, from Latin permissus
Rhymes with PERMISSIVE
Medical Dictionary
permissive
adjective per·mis·sive \pər-ˈmis-iv\
Medical Definition of PERMISSIVE
: supporting genetic replication (as of a virus) <permissive temperatures> <permissive monkey cells>
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