Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - allow

 verb  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French aluer, alouer to place, apportion, ~, from Middle French allocare — more at allocate  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1.  a. to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or money) ~ an hour for lunch  b. to reckon as a deduction or an addition ~ a gallon for leakage  2.  a. chiefly Southern & Midland to be of the opinion ; think  b. dialect say, state  c. to express an opinion — usually used with as how or that  3. chiefly Southern & Midland intend, plan  4. admit, concede must ~ that money causes problems in marriage  5.  a. permit doesn't ~ people to smoke in his home  b. to forbear or neglect to restrain or prevent ~ the dog to roam  intransitive verb  1. to make a possibility ; admit — used with of evidence that ~s of only one conclusion  2. to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies — used with for ~ for expansion