letters patent

plural noun Law.

a written or printed instrument issued by a sovereign power, conferring upon a patentee some right, as the exclusive right to land or the exclusive right to make, use, and sell an invention for a limited time.

Origin of letters patent

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for letters patent

Historical Examples of letters patent

This explains his motive for the arrangement he made in the letters-patent.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, Complete
Duc de Saint-Simon
He presented them with letters-patent, and invested them with the royal authority.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)
Isaac D'Israeli
There was nothing to do but pawn his precious first machine and the letters-patent.
Famous Days in the Century of Invention
Gertrude L. Stone
"These are the letters-patent in virtue of which you are to obey me," he said.
The Chouans
Honore de Balzac
The secretary of State entered and showed the letters-patent.
Catherine de' Medici
Honore de Balzac

British Dictionary definitions for letters patent

letters patent

pl n

See patent (def. 6)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012