/ kənˈsent; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U ] consent (to sth) permission to do sth, especially given by sb in authority :
Children under 16 cannot give consent to medical treatment.
The written consent of a parent is required.
to refuse / withhold your consent
He is charged with taking a car without the owner's consent .
—see also age of consent
2.
[ U ] agreement about sth :
She was chosen as leader by common consent (= everyone agreed to the choice) .
By mutual consent they didn't go out (= they both agreed not to) .
3.
[ C ] an official document giving permission for sth
■ verb
consent (to sth) (rather formal ) to agree to sth or give your permission for sth :
[ v ]
When she told them what she intended they readily consented.
He reluctantly consented to his daughter's marriage.
[ v to inf ]
She finally consented to answer our questions.
➡ note at agree
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French consente (noun), consentir (verb), from Latin consentire , from con- together + sentire feel.