Does "consult" mean "ask for permission"?

Question

Given the following sentence:

The manager may not incur debt without consulting the board.

Does that mean that the manager must have board permission to incur debt, or only that the manager must hear what the board has to say about the matter before making his or her own decision (possibly contrary to the board's opinion)?

WS2 · Accepted Answer

One assumes that "the board" has the power to govern the manager's actions. Hence the fact that the manager needs to "consult" would effectively mean asking permission. The board could always say "don't".
Indeed the OED confirms this is the case - see their sense 6a. (Consult) when used of a person means seeking permission or approval.

To ask advice of, seek counsel from; to have recourse to for instruction, guidance, or professional advice.

a. (a person) Also in modern use, to seek permission or approval from
(a person) for a
proposed action.
1930   D. L. Sayers Strong Poison xiv. 183   I have determined to put
my property in Trust with you, so that you may have full power to
handle everything according to your own discretion, without having to
consult me every time.
1985   N.Y. Times 7 July ii. 25/2   Before selecting the designs, the
Secretary of the Treasury must consult the chairmen of the Statue of
Liberty–Ellis Island Foundation Inc. and the Federal Commission of
Fine Arts.

Does "consult" mean "ask for permission"?

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question