permissive

[ per-mis-iv ]
/ pərˈmɪs ɪv /

adjective

habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove or forbid.
granting or denoting permission: a permissive nod.
Genetics. (of a cell) permitting replication of a strand of DNA that could be lethal, as a viral segment or mutant gene.

Origin of permissive

1425–75; late Middle English; see permission, -ive; compare French permissif

OTHER WORDS FROM permissive

Example sentences from the Web for permissive

British Dictionary definitions for permissive

permissive
/ (pəˈmɪsɪv) /

adjective

tolerant; lenient permissive parents
indulgent in matters of sex a permissive society
granting permission
archaic not obligatory

Derived forms of permissive

permissively, adverb permissiveness, noun