[per.mis.sive] adj [ME permyssyf, fr. MF permissif, fr. L permissus] (15c) 1 archaic: granted on sufferance: tolerated
2. a: granting or tending to grant permission: tolerant b: deficient in firmness or control: indulgent, lax
3: allowing discretion: optional "reduced the ~ retirement age from 65 to 62" -- per.mis.sive.ly adv -- per.mis.sive.ness n