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Permit vs Command - What's the difference?

permit | command |

In transitive terms the difference between permit and command

is that permit is to allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to while command is to hold, to control the use of.

In obsolete terms the difference between permit and command

is that permit is formal permission while command is to direct to come; to bestow.

permit

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) permitten, from (etyl) permettre, from (etyl) .

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).
  • Usage notes
    * This is a catenative verb that in the active form takes the gerund (-ing)'', but in passive takes the ''to infinitive . See

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) Formal permission.
  • An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal.
  • A construction permit can be obtained from the town offices.
    Go over to the park office and get a permit for the
  • 3 shelter.
  • Etymology 2

    An irregular borrowing from (etyl) (m), probably from a Doric variant of (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • A pompano of the species .
  • See also
    * * (Trachinotus) ----

    command

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An order to do something.
  • I was given a command to cease shooting.
  • The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
  • to have command of an army
  • power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
  • he had command of the situation
    England has long held command of the sea
    a good command of language
  • A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
  • General Smith was placed in command .
  • The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.
  • Command cannot be otherwise than savage, for it implies an appeal to force, should force be needful.'' (''H. Spencer , Social Statics, p. 180)
  • (military) A body or troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer; by extension, any object or body in someone's charge.
  • * 1899 ,
  • I asked myself what I was to do there, now my boat was lost. As a matter of fact, I had plenty to do in fishing my command out of the river.
  • Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
  • (computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
  • (baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
  • He's got good command tonight.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
  • The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
    The king commanded his servant to bring him dinner.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • We are commanded' to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are ' commanded to forgive our friends.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Go to your mistress: / Say, I command her come to me.
  • To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
  • to command an army or a ship
  • * Macaulay
  • Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Such aid as I can spare you shall command .
  • To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
  • he commanded silence
    If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Mat. IV. 3.)
  • * 2013 , Louise Taylor, English talent gets left behind as Premier League keeps importing'' (in ''The Guardian , 20 August 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/19/english-talent-premier-league-importing]
  • The reasons for this growing disconnect are myriad and complex but the situation is exacerbated by the reality that those English players who do smash through our game's "glass ceiling" command radically inflated transfer fees.
  • to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
  • Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)
  • To exact, compel or secure by influence; to deserve, claim.
  • A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
    Justice commands the respect and affections of the people.
    The best goods command the best price.
    This job commands a salary of £30,000.
  • To hold, to control the use of.
  • The fort commanded the bay.
  • * Motley
  • bridges commanded by a fortified house
  • * Shakespeare
  • Up to the eastern tower, / Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
  • * Addison
  • One side commands a view of the finest garden.
  • (archaic) To have a view, as from a superior position.
  • * Milton
  • Far and wide his eye commands .
  • (obsolete) To direct to come; to bestow.
  • * Bible, Leviticus xxv. 21
  • I will command my blessing upon you.

    Synonyms

    * (give an order) decree, order

    Derived terms

    * chain of command * commandable * command economy * commandeer * commander * commandery * command guidance * commanding * command key * command language * command line * commandment * command module * command performance * command post * high command * second in command * self-command * trains command * your wish is my command

    References

    * *

    Statistics

    * English control verbs