licence
Examples from the Web for licence
Historical Examples
But if we grant all this licence, what can it effect after all?
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part II]Benedict of Spinoza
He was made a delegate of the Red Committee less than a year after his release on licence.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
And I am certain every one who knows you will vote the restoration of your licence!
Salted With FireGeorge MacDonald
Sir John desires to obtain a licence to build at the mouth of the Fal.
The Sea-HawkRaphael Sabatini
I have the licence, but it can only be used in my parish in London.
A Pair of Blue EyesThomas Hardy
licence
US license
- a certificate, tag, document, etc, giving official permission to do something
- formal permission or exemption
- liberty of action or thought; freedom
- intentional disregard of or deviation from conventional rules to achieve a certain effectpoetic licence
- excessive freedom
- licentiousness
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for licence
n.
mid-14c., "liberty (to do something), leave," from Old French licence "freedom, liberty, power, possibility; permission," (12c.), from Latin licentia "freedom, liberty, license," from licentem (nominative licens). present participle of licere "to be allowed, be lawful," from PIE root *leik- "to offer, bargain" (cf. Lettish likstu "I come to terms"). Meaning "formal (usually written) permission from authority to do something" (marry, hunt, drive, etc.) is first attested early 15c. Meaning "excessive liberty, disregard of propriety" is from mid-15c. No etymological justification for the spelling with -s-; attempts to confine license to verbal use and licence to noun use (cf. advise/advice, devise/device) seem to have failed.
v.
c.1400, "grant formal authorization," from license (n.). Related: Licenced; Licencing.