Main Entry:: ¹li·cense
Variant(s):: or li·cence \ˈlī-s^ən(t)s\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French licence, from Latin licentia, from licent-, licens, present participle of licēre to be permitted
Date:: 14th century

1 a: permission to act b: freedom of action2 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 rights3 a: freedom that allows or is used with irresponsibility b: disregard for standards of personal conduct : licentiousness4: deviation from fact, form, or rule by an artist or writer for the sake of the effect gained

synonyms see freedom

— licensed adjective

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