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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Permit, v. Also: -mitt(e, -myt. [e.m.E. permyt (Caxton), L. permittere to let go, give up, allow, whence also F. permettre; cf. also Permis v.] To permit, in the usual applications and constructions.

tr. To allow (an activity, practice or the like) (to, also till, someone, or with dative pron.); not to forbid or prevent.Const. noun, noun cl. or infin. obj.In passive, chiefly with cognate subj. or in impers. construction.(1) 1456 Hay I. 261/2.
In the quhilk the lawis of armes of Lombardy permyttis and tholis vageing of bataill in lissis 1596 Dalr. I. 69/21.
Our method of proceiding permittis nocht that [etc.] 1598 Guide to St. Andrews (1953) 32.
Sum ma buikis … quhilk tyme culd nocht permitt to seik out 1598 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 660/2.
How sone my lasor micht … permitte the trew pourtraicte of my thochtis(2) 1489 Acts II. 220/2.
Oure souerane lord has humilit his hienes to permitt and grant in parliament to abid and remane at thare consalis 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 140.
Thair lauchfull heretrix wha hes permitted thame sic libertie of conscience c1590 Fowler II. 85/30.
They wald never have permitted that the Romane kirk suld have suelled to that greatnes 1596 Dalr. I. 117/17.
He permitis that in general parleaments twa or thrie of thame be present Ib. II. 9/12.
Till vthiris he permitis new [sc. privileges](3) passive 1558-66 Knox II. 361.
Letteris … by the which licence was permitted to the Erle of Levenox to cum to Scotland 1576 Inverness Rec. I. 252.
That na sic licience be permittit to the baillies 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 151 b.
Cvstumers … sould be challenged that they take mair largely custome then is granted or permitted to them 1621 Acts IV. 625/2.
It is permittit that anye persoun may weare [etc.](4) 1660 Conv. Burghs III. 495.
That ane jurnall of copper money … may be permittit to be coyned

b. To allow (a person, also a body of persons, to do something).(1) 1549 Compl. 27/5.
God hes permittit the Inglis men to scurge vs c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2696.
Ȝe maryit men … Permyt thame [wives] nocht to passe in pylgramage 1564 Grey Friars II. 146.
We hes permittet and … permitts and licencis thaim … to bury thair deid in that place(2) 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 173/8.
The Lorde at na tyme permittis his kirk vniuersalie to be abusit with idolatrie(3) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 135/11.
Sua that the kirk of Asia suld be … permittit to vse that ceremonie 1569 Peebles B. Rec. I. 308.
That na bangistaris be permittit to be inwyth this tovne 1579 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 106.
That na maner of scole maisteris … be permitted to instruct … ony youthheid … except [etc.](4) a1578 Pitsc. I. 67/7.
Quhene the powar divyne of God had permittit him to … skurge the pepill [etc.] 1592 Laing MSS. I. 84.
Cum heir to us to Blair in Athole gif your lasour may permit you tharto 1596 Dalr. I. 41/32.
The cause of this our compend permitis vs nocht copiouslie to expone 1596 James VI Lett. to Huntly in Spotsw.
Gif your conscience be sa kittell as it can not permit you [etc.] a1639 Hist. (1655) 438.

c. absol. or intr. — 1597 James VI Dæmonol. 81.
Wee haue made this conference to last as long as leasure would permit 1600-1610 Melvill 274.
Wharin the partis of all I could pent out particularlie giff my purpose permitted