License

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French licence, from Latin licentia, from licent-, licens, present participle of licēre to be permitted

• Date: 14th century

Definitions

• 1 a : permission to act

b : freedom of action

• 2 a : a permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful

b : a document, plate, or tag evidencing a license granted

c : a grant by the holder of a copyright or patent to another of any of the rights embodied in the copyright or patent short of an assignment of all rights

• 3 a : freedom that allows or is used with irresponsibility

b : disregard for standards of personal conduct : licentiousness

• 4 : deviation from fact, form, or rule by an artist or writer for the sake of the effect gained

synonyms see freedom— licensed adjective