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consent

n. · v.
US //kənˈsɛnt// UK //kənsˈɛnt// con·sent
  1. 1 permission or agreement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.

    voluntary agreement or permission given by one person to another. Uncountable in its general sense but often countable in legal or medical contexts.

    Example

    You must get your parents' consent before you go on the school trip.

    Example

    The patient provided written consent for the surgical procedure after the doctor explained the potential risks and benefits involved.
  2. 2 to agree or give permission (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to agree to do something or to allow something to happen.

    to express willingness or give permission. Intransitive, typically followed by the preposition 'to'.

    Example

    The director finally consented to the changes in the script.

    Example

    After several weeks of intense negotiation, the board of directors consented to the merger under the condition that no staff would be made redundant.

    Usage

    Usually takes the preposition 'to' followed by a noun or an infinitive.
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  1. 3 general agreement (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    when everyone in a group agrees about something.

    unity or agreement of opinion, sentiment, or inclination within a group.

    Example

    By common consent, she was the best person for the job.

    Example

    The policy was adopted by general consent, reflecting a rare moment of total alignment between the competing political factions.
Origin

Recorded in Middle English since circa 1225, borrowed from Old French consentir, from Latin cōnsentīre (“to agree; to assent, consent”), itself from com- (“with”) + sentiō (“to feel”)

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