Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense assents, present participle assenting, past tense, past participle assented
1. uncountable noun [oft with poss]
If someone gives their assentto something that has been suggested, they formally agree to it.
He gave his assent to the proposed legislation. [+ to/for]
Without their assent a political settlement cannot be reached.
Synonyms: agreement, accord, sanction, approval More Synonyms of assent
2. verb
If you assentto something, you agree to it or agree with it.
I assented to the request of the American publishers to write this book. [VERB + to]
'But it's good grub,' he added. 'You're right,' Pantieri assented. [VERB with quote]
[Also VERB]
assent in British English
(əˈsɛnt)
noun
1.
agreement, as to a statement, proposal, etc; acceptance
2.
hesitant agreement; compliance
3.
sanction
verb
4. (intransitive; usually foll byto)
to agree or express agreement
Word origin
C13: from Old French assenter, from Latin assentīrī, from sentīre to think
assent in American English
(əˈsɛnt)
verb intransitive
1.
to express acceptance of an opinion, proposal, etc.; agree (to); concur
noun
2.
consent or agreement; concurrence
SIMILAR WORDS: conˈsent
Derived forms
assenter (asˈsenter)
noun
Word origin
ME assenten < OFr assenter < L assentari < assentire < ad-, to + sentire, to feel: see send1
Examples of 'assent' in a sentence
assent
But whether it will receive assent before the upcoming general election remains to be seen.
Computing (2010)
The bill is still awaiting royal assent.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
So the assent theory must be wrong.
Dylan Evans PLACEBO: The Belief Effect (2003)
There was a murmur of assent from all the career women present.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is expected to receive royal assent by the year-end.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It has received royal assent, but cannot come into force until enabling regulations have been passed.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Perhaps that's why she has refused to give her assent to a film.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And yet all are confined to small pockets of devotion and none is able to command the assent of the nations of the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
With just a few months before the bill receives royal assent, lobbying from all sides is in overdrive.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The script's message about the importance of scientific inquiry and common decency will be enough to command assent from audiences across the spectrum.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
The Bill received Royal assent the following year.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It was barely a year since the Bubble Act had received its royal assent.
Malcolm Balen A VERY ENGLISH DECEIT: The Secret History of the South Sea Bubble and the First GreatFinancial Scandal (2002)
We give intellectual assent to it, but if we really experience his presence, then renewal will happen.
Christianity Today (2000)
Yet it has been clear almost since the 2010 act received royal assent that the 2020 target would not be met.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Because royal assent for the changes was only delivered in March some companies haven't got round to doing it yet.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
assent
British English: assent NOUN
If someone gives their assent to something that has been suggested, they formally agree to it.
He gave his assent to the proposed legislation.
American English: assent
Brazilian Portuguese: consentimento
Chinese: 正式的认可
European Spanish: aprobación
French: assentiment
German: Zustimmung
Italian: assenso
Japanese: 同意
Korean: 동의
European Portuguese: consentimento
Latin American Spanish: aprobación
British English: assent VERB
If you assent to something, you agree to it or agree with it.
I assented to the request of the publishers to write this book.
American English: assent
Brazilian Portuguese: consentir
Chinese: 同意
European Spanish: acceder
French: donner son accord
German: zustimmen
Italian: assentire
Japanese: 同意する
Korean: 동의하다
European Portuguese: consentir
Latin American Spanish: acceder
(noun)
Definition
agreement, consent
He gave his assent to the proposed legislation.
Synonyms
agreement
The talks ended in acrimony rather than agreement.
accord
I found myself in total accord.
sanction
The king could not enact laws without the sanction of parliament.
approval
The proposed modifications met with widespread approval.
permission
They cannot leave the country without permission.
Women and children have been given permission to leave.
acceptance
a theory that is steadily gaining acceptance
consent
We need her consent before we submit the application.
compliance
We seem to have reached unprecedented depths of compliance and timidity.