permissiveness
|per/mis/sive/ness|
🇺🇸
/pərˈmɪsɪvnəs/
🇬🇧
/pəˈmɪsɪvnəs/
allowing freedom; leniency
Etymology
'permissiveness' originates from Latin via French and English: the adjective 'permissive' comes from Latin 'permissus', past participle of 'permittere' ('per-' meaning 'through/for' and 'mittere' meaning 'to send/let'), with the nominalizing suffix '-ness' added in English.
'permittere' (Latin) > 'permettre' (Old French) / 'permit' (Middle English verb) > adjective 'permissive' (formed in modern English) > noun 'permissiveness' formed by adding '-ness' to create the abstract noun.
Initially related to the Latin idea of 'letting through' or 'allowing', over time it evolved into the modern sense of 'allowing freedom or leniency' and later acquired specialized senses such as moral or sexual leniency.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being permissive; leniency or tolerance in allowing behaviour or actions that might otherwise be restricted.
The permissiveness of the new dress code policy surprised many employees.
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Noun 2
a tendency to be permissive specifically regarding moral or sexual behaviour; moral laxness or sexual liberality.
Debates about cultural permissiveness often focus on attitudes toward sexual behaviour.
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Last updated: 2025/11/26 02:14