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
patent foodstuffs have acquired an ever-increasing importance—Friedel Strauss
(2)
: protected by a patent : made under a patent
patent locks
a patent coffee maker
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
patent law
3
: making exclusive or proprietary claims or pretensions
peddled his patent notions in season and out
4
: affording free passage : unobstructed
a patent opening
6
archaic
: accessible, exposed
7
: readily visible or intelligible : obvious
his patent sincerity
a patent falsehood
patently
adverb
1
: an official document conferring a right or privilege : letters patent
2
a
: a writing securing for a term of years the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention
b
: the monopoly or right so granted
c
: a patented invention
4
: an instrument making a conveyance of public lands
also
: the land so conveyed
5
patented; patenting; patents
1
: to obtain or grant a patent right to
2
: to grant a privilege, right, or license to by patent
3
: to obtain or secure by patent
especially
: to secure by letters patent exclusive right to make, use, or sell
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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