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¹license

noun li·cense \ˈlī-s^ən(t)s\

: an official document, card, etc., that gives you permission to do, use, or have something

: freedom to act however you want to

: the freedom of an artist, writer, etc., to change the way something is described or shown in order to produce a work of art

Full Definition of LICENSE

a : permission to act

b : freedom of action

a : a permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful

b : a document, plate, or tag evidencing a license granted

c : a grant by the holder of a copyright or patent to another of any of the rights embodied in the copyright or patent short of an assignment of all rights

a : freedom that allows or is used with irresponsibility

b : disregard for standards of personal conduct : licentiousness

: deviation from fact, form, or rule by an artist or writer for the sake of the effect gained

— licensed adjective

See license defined for English-language learners

See license defined for kids

Variants of LICENSE

li·cense or li·cence \ˈlī-s^ən(t)s\

Origin of LICENSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French licence, from Latin licentia, from licent-, licens, present participle of licēre to be permitted

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LICENSE

Synonyms: allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, permission (or licence), sanction, sufferance, warrant

Antonyms: interdiction, prohibition, proscription

Synonym Discussion of LICENSE

freedom, liberty, license mean the power or condition of acting without compulsion. freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated <freedom of the press>. liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion <the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty>. license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom <freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license>.

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

²license

verb

: to give official permission to (someone or something) to do or use something : to give a license to (someone or something)

: to give official permission for (something)

: to allow the use of (a name, property, etc.) through a formal agreement

li·censed also li·cencedli·cens·ing also li·cenc·ing

Full Definition of LICENSE

transitive verb

a : to issue a license to

b : to permit or authorize especially by formal license

: to give permission or consent to : allow

— li·cens·able \-s^ən(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective

— li·cen·sor \-sər, ˌli-s^ən-ˈsȯr\ also li·cens·er \-sər\ noun

See license defined for English-language learners

Variants of LICENSE

license also licence

First Known Use of LICENSE

15th century

Related to LICENSE

Synonyms: accredit, certify, charter [British], commission, empower, enable, invest, authorize (also licence), qualify, vest, warrant

Antonyms: disqualify

LICENSED Defined for Kids

¹license

noun li·cense \ˈlī-s^əns\

Definition of LICENSE for Kids

: permission to do something granted especially by qualified authority <a license to sell food>

: a paper, card, or tag showing legal permission <a driver's license>

: freedom of action that is carried too far <Bitterly did she repent the license she had given her imagination. — Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables>

Variants of LICENSE

li·cense or li·cence \ˈlī-s^əns\

²license

verb

li·censed also li·cencedli·cens·ing also li·cenc·ing

Definition of LICENSE for Kids

: to grant formal permission

Variants of LICENSE

license also licence

Medical Dictionary

license

noun li·cense

Medical Definition of LICENSE

: a permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful <a license to practice medicine>

—license or chiefly British licence transitive verb, li·censed or chiefly British li·cenced li·cens·ing or chiefly British li·cenc·ing