patent

/ˈpeɪtənt/

noun

  1. 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. 2

    A specific grant of ownership of a piece of property; a land patent.

  3. 3

    License; formal permission.

  4. 4

    Patent leather: a varnished, high-gloss leather typically used for shoes and accessories.

verb

  1. 1

    To successfully register an invention with a government agency; to secure a letter patent.

adjective

  1. 1

    Open, unobstructed, expanded.

    That is a patent ductus arteriosus.
  2. 2

    Explicit and obvious.

    Those claims are patent nonsense.
  3. 3

    (of flour) That is fine, and consists mostly of the inner part of the endosperm.

  4. 4

    Open; unconcealed; conspicuous.

  5. 5

    Open to public perusal; said of a document conferring some right or privilege.

    letters patent
  6. 6

    Protected by a legal patent.

    a patent right; patent medicines

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