Definition of admit of

The phrase "admit of" is a prepositional phrase that derives from the Old English word "bidan," which means "to allow" or "to permit." When the French conquered England in the 11th century, they introduced the preposition "de," which means "from" or "of," into the English language. This preposition served as a transition between the verb "admit" (which comes from the Old Welsh "attēa," meaning "to allow") and the nouns that followed it. In Old English, the preposition "contains" would be used in the place of "admit of" to express this concept. For instance, instead of saying, "Admit of fire," Old English speakers would say, "Contanes feorre." However, in Middle English (which emerged during the 12th century), the phrase "admitte of" was formed, and it consisted of "admitte" (a Middle English variation of "admit") and "of." Over time, the preposition "de" was dropped, and today, we simply say "admit of" in modern English. This phrase has retained its fundamental meaning and is still used to indicate that something (such as an object, idea, or situation) is allowed or admitted within a particular place, context, or parameter.