patent
noun
- 1
A declaration issued by a government agency declaring someone the inventor of a new invention and having the privilege of stopping others from making, using or selling the claimed invention; a letter patent.
- 2
A specific grant of ownership of a piece of property; a land patent.
- 3
License; formal permission.
- 4
Patent leather: a varnished, high-gloss leather typically used for shoes and accessories.
verb
- 1
To successfully register an invention with a government agency; to secure a letter patent.
adjective
- 1
Open, unobstructed, expanded.
“That is a patent ductus arteriosus.”
- 2
Explicit and obvious.
“Those claims are patent nonsense.”
- 3
(of flour) That is fine, and consists mostly of the inner part of the endosperm.
- 4
Open; unconcealed; conspicuous.
- 5
Open to public perusal; said of a document conferring some right or privilege.
“letters patent”
- 6
Protected by a legal patent.
“a patent right; patent medicines”
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