PERMISSIVE | Definition and Meaning

Definition of Permissive

Permissive

per·mis·sive

Definition/Meaning

(adjective)

Giving freedom to do what one wants; lenient or tolerant.

e.g. The permissive parenting style allowed the child to make her own decisions.

(adjective)

(legal) optional, allowed if so desired but not made mandatory;

e.g. Membership in the organization was permissive and easy to obtain if people wanted it.

(adjective)

(biology) having conditions that allow or favor particular biological/biochemical processes, especially allowing or promoting the replication and growth of viruses and thus the subsequent infection;

e.g. The cells must be in a permissive environment for the reaction to occur efficiently. Mutated cells are more permissive than healthy ones, so they are more easily infected.