To be of the opinion that, to admit. The N.E.D. cites Baret’s ‘Alvearie,’ 1580
1801. We allow it was merit for Mr. Jefferson not to hinder it.—Mass. Spy, Nov. 11.
1825. Her large eyes would sparkle,—so the men ‘allowed’—like the mischief.—John Neal, ‘Brother Jonathan,’ i. 28.
1840. [She] said she would allow he was the most beautiful-complected child she had ever seen, and that his skin, to be sure, was as soft as velvet, and that he did know enough.—Knick. Mag., xv. 131.
1843. Well, Johnny, my buck, what do you allow sang’s (ginseng) done with out thare in Chi-ne?—B. R. Hall (‘Robert Carlton’), ‘The New Purchase,’ i. 156.
1843. With fair play she sentimentally allowed her Bill could lick are a man in the ’varsal world, and his weight in wild cats to boot.—Id., ii. 158.
1844. “My good woman, would you be so kind as to accommodate a stranger with a bowl of bread and milk!” “Well, I allow I couldn’t, no how you can fix it; han’t had a drop of milk fur five years.”—Yale Lit. Mag., ix. 164 (Feb.).
1851. An old lady, was along, ’lowed it was dangersome for me to stay on the deck, as I might scare the masheenery OUT O’ JINT.—J. J. Hooper, ‘Widow Rugby’s Husband,’ &c., p. 50.
1866. Where is Hamlin? I allow that he is dead, or I would ask him too.—C. H. Smith, ‘Bill Arp,’ p. 23.
1860. Lowell cites Hakluyt, 1558, but says that allow in the sense of affirm is “never heard in New England.” (?)
