Permissively

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner that encourages the exercise of personal freedom while being open to various options without imposing strict rules
2. Acting in a way that shows allowance for individual choice without strict enforcement of rules
3. Behaving with flexibility and tolerance towards actions or decisions that might usually be restricted

Etymology: Permissively is a straightforward formation: the adjective "permissive" with the suffix "-ly" added to turn it into an adverb. The adjective itself comes from "permit," so the sense is simply "in a permitting manner," meaning allowing something without enforcing strict rules. The suffix has a long ancestry. It traces back to a Proto-Germanic element meaning "body" or "form," which took the shape "-līk" in Germanic languages. In Old English it appeared as "-līce," used to build adverbs from adjectives, and it gradually softened over the Middle English period into "-ly," the form still used today. So every adverb ending in "-ly" carries an old word for "appearance" or "shape" inside it.

Synonyms: leniently, tolerantly, indulgently, liberally

Antonyms: strictly, rigidly, harshly, inflexibly