scilicet: How did 'it is permitted to know' semantically shift to signify 'that is to say, namely'?

[scherz0]

1. How did signification 1 beneath semantically shift to 2?

2. I'm befuddled by the relevant of licit, because what does "permitted" here signify? Why would a Roman require permission to know something?

scilicet on Etymonline.

late 14c., Latin, "you may know, you may be sure, it is certain," used in sense [2.] "that is to say, namely," contraction of [1.] scire licit "it is permitted to know,"
from scire "to know" (see science); for second element see licit.

Used as was Old English hit is to witanne, literally "it is to wit" (see wit (v.)). Often abbreviated sc. or scil.

 

[Pacifica]

Licet isn't necessarily about permission in the literal sense of a permission you get from someone. It can also just mean that something is possible for you to do, that you get the chance to do something, and the like.

 

[Bestiola]

If you're interested in semantic shifts and grammaticalization in Latin, Michele Fruyt's book is a better choice than that dictionary:

Grammaticalisation and Latin

benjamins.com