letters patent

American  

plural noun

Law.

1. 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.

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letters patent British  

plural noun

1. See patent

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Etymology

Origin of letters patent

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Prince Charles will visit Southend later to present a letters patent to grant the town city status.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2022

Upon the issue of the letters patent, an open document from the Queen conferring a patent or other right, Southend will become the 52nd city in England and the second in Essex, alongside Chelmsford.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2022

Your status, and any design ideas you submit, will be reviewed and if approved, you will be granted a letters patent by the most senior herald, the Kings of Arms.

From BBC • May 30, 2017

In 1635, letters patent were granted by the King, and the Acad�mie Fran�aise came into being.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some light is thrown by these letters patent on the condition of the convent in 1496.

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Power, Eileen