consent

[ kuhn-sent ]

verb (used without object)

1. to permit, approve, or agree; comply or yield (often followed by to or an infinitive):

   He consented to the proposal. We asked her permission, and she consented.

2. Archaic. to agree in sentiment, opinion, etc.; be in harmony.

noun

1. permission, approval, or agreement; sanction; acquiescence:

   He gave his consent to the marriage.

   Synonyms: concurrence, accord

2. agreement in sentiment, opinion, a course of action, etc.:

   By common consent he was appointed official delegate.

3. Archaic. accord; concord; harmony.

consent

/ kənˈsɛnt /

verb

1. to give assent or permission (to do something); agree; accede
2. obsolete.
   intr to be in accord; agree in opinion, feelings, etc

noun

1. acquiescence to or acceptance of something done or planned by another; permission
2. accordance or harmony in opinion; agreement (esp in the phrase with one consent )
3. age of consent
   the lowest age at which the law recognizes the right of a person to consent to sexual intercourse

Derived Forms

• conˈsenter, noun
• conˈsenting, adjective

Other Words From

• con·senter noun
• con·senting·ly adverb
• noncon·sent noun
• noncon·senting adjective noun
• precon·sent noun verb (used without object)
• recon·sent verb (used without object)
• uncon·senting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consent¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb consenten, concenten, from Anglo-French, Old French consentir, from Latin consentīre “to join or share a feeling; concur”; noun derivative of the verb; consensus

Word History and Origins

Origin of consent¹

C13: from Old French consentir, from Latin consentīre to feel together, agree, from sentīre to feel

Synonym Study

See agree.

Example Sentences

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was “shocked” by the nomination, saying it reaffirmed the need for the Senate to hold on to its constitutional duty of providing “advice and consent.”

From Salon

The final transfer of ownership to the British Museum will be subject to the Charity Commission's consent.

From BBC

In an email exchange with Rob McCallum, he said he didn’t need a piece of paper to show Titan was safe, and that his own protocols and the “informed consent” of passengers were enough.

From BBC

Final transfer of the ownership of the items is subject to the Charity Commission's consent.

From BBC

Shell, she said, had "acted lawfully" in relying on the government’s consent and should not "be punished" for doing so.

From BBC

Related Words

• acquiescence
• approval
• assent
• authorization
• blessing
• compliance
• concurrence
• go ahead
• permission
• permit
• sanction
• understanding