Main Entry: ¹pat·ent

Pronunciation: \1–3 are ˈpa-t^ənt, chiefly British ˈpā-; 4 ˈpā-; 5 ˈpā-, ˈpa-; 6–7 ˈpa-, ˈpā-, British usually ˈpā-\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin patent-, patens, from present participle of patēre to be open — more at fathom

Date: 14th century

1 a : open to public inspection —used chiefly in the phrase letters patent b (1) : secured by letters patent or by a patent to the exclusive control and possession of a particular individual or party (2) : protected by a patent : made under a patent <patent locks> c : protected by a trademark or a brand name so as to establish proprietary rights analogous to those conveyed by letters patent or a patent : proprietary <patent drugs>
2 : of, relating to, or concerned with the granting of patents especially for inventions <a patent lawyer>
3 : making exclusive or proprietary claims or pretensions
4 : affording free passage : unobstructed <a patent opening>
5 : patulous, spreading <a patent calyx>
6 archaic : accessible, exposed
7 : readily visible or intelligible : obvious

synonyms see evident

— pat·ent·ly adverb