patent
noun
[ ˈpat(ə)nt ]
• a government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.
• "he took out a patent for an improved steam hammer"
Similar:
copyright,
licence,
legal protection,
right,
performing right,
permit,
privilege,
charter,
franchise,
registered trademark,
• patent leather.
• "designs in a wide range of textures featuring super-chic patent, soft suede, or sophisticated nappa"
patent
adjective
• easily recognizable; obvious.
• "she was smiling with patent insincerity"
Similar:
obvious,
clear,
plain,
evident,
apparent,
manifest,
self-evident,
distinct,
definite,
transparent,
overt,
discernible,
visible,
conspicuous,
blatant,
downright,
barefaced,
flagrant,
palpable,
glaring,
glaringly obvious,
undisguised,
unconcealed,
unmistakable,
unequivocal,
unquestionable,
undeniable,
• (of a vessel, duct, or aperture) open and unobstructed; failing to close.
• "the patient is usually left with a patent vessel"
• made and marketed under a patent; proprietary.
• "patent milk powder"
patent
verb
• obtain a patent for (an invention).
• "an invention is not your own until it is patented"
Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patent- ‘lying open’, from the verb patere . The noun sense is from letters patent.
