v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' lau ̇
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French aluer, alouer to place, apportion, allow, from Middle French allocare ― more at ALLOCATE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or money) < allow an hour for lunch> b : to reckon as a deduction or an addition < allow a gallon for leakage>
2 a chiefly Southern & Midland : to be of the opinion : THINK b dialect : SAY , STATE c : to express an opinion ― usually used with as how or that
3 chiefly Southern & Midland : INTEND , PLAN
4 : ADMIT , CONCEDE <must allow that money causes problems in marriage>
5 a : PERMIT <doesn't allow people to smoke in his home> b : to forbear or neglect to restrain or prevent < allow the dog to roam>
intransitive verb
1 : to make a possibility : ADMIT ― used with of <evidence that allow s of only one conclusion>
2 : to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies ― used with for < allow for expansion>