Assent vs. Consent: What's the Difference?

Consent

Consent occurs when one person voluntarily agrees to the proposal or desires of another. It is a term of common speech, but may have more specific definitions in such fields as the law, medicine, research, and sexual relationships.

Types of consent include implied consent, expressed consent, informed consent and unanimous consent. Consent as understood in specific contexts may differ from its everyday meaning. For example, a person with a mental disorder, a low mental age, or under the legal age of sexual consent may willingly engage in a sexual act that still fails to meet the legal threshold for consent as defined by applicable law. UN agencies and initiatives in sex education programs believe that teaching the topic of consent as part of a comprehensive sexuality education is beneficial.

Wikipedia

Consent (verb)

To express willingness, to give permission.

“”After reflecting a little bit, I’ve consented.”
Consent (verb)

To cause to sign a consent form.
Consent (verb)

To grant; to allow; to assent to.
Consent (verb)

To agree in opinion or sentiment; to be of the same mind; to accord; to concur.
Consent (noun)

Voluntary agreement or permission.
Consent (noun)

Unity or agreement of opinion, sentiment, or inclination.

Wiktionary

Assent (noun)

the expression of approval or agreement

“a loud murmur of assent”

“he nodded assent”
Assent (noun)

official agreement or sanction

“the act was given the Royal Assent”
Assent (verb)

express approval or agreement

“the Prime Minister assented to the change”

“‘Guest house, then,’ Frank assented cheerfully”

Consent (noun)

permission for something to happen or agreement to do something

“no change may be made without the consent of all the partners”
Consent (verb)

give permission for something to happen

“he consented to a search by a detective”
Consent (verb)

agree to do something

“he had consented to serve as external assessor on the panel”

Oxford Dictionary

Assent vs. Consent