Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - assent

 I. intransitive verb  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ~ir, ~er, from Latin ~ari, from ~ire, from ad- + sentire to feel — more at sense  Date: 14th century to agree to something especially after thoughtful consideration ; concur  • ~or or ~er noun Synonyms:  ~, consent, accede, acquiesce, agree, subscribe mean to concur with what has been proposed. ~ implies an act involving the understanding or judgment and applies to propositions or opinions voters ~ed to the proposal. consent involves the will or feelings and indicates compliance with what is requested or desired consented to their daughter's going. accede implies a yielding, often under pressure, of ~ or consent officials acceded to the prisoners' demands. acquiesce implies tacit acceptance or forbearance of opposition acquiesced to his boss's wishes. agree sometimes implies previous difference of opinion or attempts at persuasion finally agreed to come along. subscribe implies not only consent or ~ but hearty approval and active support subscribes wholeheartedly to the idea.  II. noun  Date: 14th century an act of ~ing ; acquiescence, agreement