Verb

(institut)

To begin or initiate (something); to found.

He instituted the new policy of having children walk through a metal detector to enter school.

* (rfdate) Shakespeare

And haply institute / A course of learning and ingenious studies.

* 1776 , (Thomas Jefferson), (Declaration of Independence) :

Whenever any from of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government.

(obsolete) To train, instruct.

*, II.27:

*:Publius was the first that ever instituted the Souldier to manage his armes by dexteritie and skil, and joyned art unto vertue, not for the use of private contentions, but for the wars and Roman peoples quarrels.

* (rfdate) Dr. H. More

If children were early instituted , knowledge would insensibly insinuate itself.

To nominate; to appoint.

* (William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)

We institute your Grace / To be our regent in these parts of France.

(ecclesiastical, legal) To invest with the spiritual charge of a benefice, or the care of souls.

(Blackstone)

Verb

(permitt)

* (Joseph Addison) (1672-1719)

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

To allow (something) to happen, to give permission for.

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4 , passage=Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda.}}

* 1930 , "Presbytarians", Time , 19 Dec 1930:

Last week the decision on two points was conclusive: the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. will not permit' ordination of women as ministers, but will ' permit their election as ruling elders, permission which makes possible a woman as moderator.

To allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to.

* 2009 , Patricia Cohen, New York Times , 17 Jan 09, p. 1:

He was ultimately cleared, but during that period, Mr. Ackman said, his lawyers would not permit him to defend himself publicly.

To allow for, to make something possible.

* 2006 , Mary Riddell, "Trident is a Weapon of Mass Destruction", The Observer , 3 Dec 06:

What was left to say? Quite a lot, if only parliamentary time permitted .

* 2009 , John Mitchell, "Clubs Preview", The Guardian , 25 Jul 09:

For snackage there's a 1950s-themed diner plus a barbie on the terrace, weather permitting .

To allow, to admit (of).

* 1910 , , "Reginald in Russia", Reginald in Russia :

‘You English are always so frivolous,’ said the Princess. ‘In Russia we have too many troubles to permit of our being light-hearted.’

* 2007 , Ian Jack, The Guardian , 22 Sep 07:

"As an instrument of economic policy, incantation does not permit of minor doubts or scruples."

(pronounced like noun) To grant formal authorization for (something).

(pronounced like noun) To attempt to obtain or succeed in obtaining formal authorization for (something).