patent

adjective

pat·ent | \ senses 1–3 are ˈpa-tᵊnt

, chiefly British ˈpā-; sense 4 ˈpā-; sense 5 ˈpā-, ˈpa-; senses 6–7 ˈpa-, ˈpā-, British usually ˈpā-

Definition of patent

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : 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

5 : patulous, spreading a patent calyx

6 archaic : accessible, exposed

7 : readily visible or intelligible : obvious his patent sincerity a patent falsehood

patent

noun

pat·ent | \ ˈpa-tᵊnt

, British also ˈpā-

Definition of patent (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : an official document conferring a right or privilege : letters patent

2a : 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

3 : privilege, license

4 : an instrument making a conveyance of public lands also : the land so conveyed

5 : patent leather

patent

verb

pat·ent | \ ˈpa-tᵊnt

, British also ˈpā-

patented; patenting; patents

Definition of patent (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

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

Other Words from patent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about patent

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Other Words from patent

Adjective

patently adverb

Verb

patentability \ ˌpa-tᵊn-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

, British also ˌpā- \ noun

patentable \ ˈpa-tᵊn-tə-bəl

, British also ˈpā- \ adjective

patent

Definition of patent

Other Words from patent

Synonyms & Antonyms for patent

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