permissibilis

Forms

permissibilis (neuter permissibile); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1] Permittibilis is also found.^[2]

Etymology

The DMLBS analyses it as from Latin per- + missibilis.^[2] Köbler and Etymonline derive it from permittō (“to allow”), through its participle permissus.^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS quotes it from Fleta, about 1290, in the sense of allowable.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

It means allowable, permissible, often in the phrase permissibile est quod or ut.^[2] Polish sources use it in sermons and law: a 1519 text says a dying man may lawfully make his wife guardian.^[1] English permissible was borrowed from Old French and directly from the Medieval Latin word in the early 15th century.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 1290 – Fleta uses it with a quod clause.^[2][3]
• early 15th century – Borrowed into English as permissible.^[4]
• 1519 – A Polish legal text uses it of what the law allows.^[1]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Allowable, permissible.^[2][1][3]

References

1. ^ a b c d Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
2. ^ a b c d e f Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com