license

[lahy-suh ns]

noun

formal permission from a governmental or other constituted authority to do something, as to carry on some business or profession.

a certificate, tag, plate, etc., giving proof of such permission; official permit: a driver's license.

permission to do or not to do something.

intentional deviation from rule, convention, or fact, as for the sake of literary or artistic effect: poetic license.

exceptional freedom allowed in a special situation.

excessive or undue freedom or liberty.

licentiousness.

the legal right to use a patent owned by another.

verb (used with object), li·censed, li·cens·ing.

to grant authoritative permission or license to.

Origin of license

1325–75; Middle English licence < Middle French < Medieval Latin licentia authorization, Latin: freedom, equivalent to licent- (stem of licēns, present participle of licēre to be allowed) + -ia -ia; see -ence

Related forms

li·cens·a·ble, adjectiveli·cense·less, adjectiveli·cens·er; especially Law, li·cen·sor, nounde-li·cense, verb (used with object), de-li·censed, de-li·cens·ing.

non·li·cens·a·ble, adjectivenon·li·censed, adjectivepre·li·cense, noun, verb (used with object), pre·li·censed, pre·li·cens·ing.re·li·cense, verb (used with object), re·li·censed, re·li·cens·ing.

Can be confusedcertificate degree diploma license

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for licensor

All rights not expressly granted by Licensor are hereby reserved.
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom|Cory Doctorow
Licensor shall not be bound by any additional provisions that may appear in any communication from You.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow
The licensor permits others to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work.
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom|Cory Doctorow
"Licensor" means the individual, individuals, entity or entities that offer(s) the Work under the terms of this License.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow

This License may not be modified without the mutual written agreement of the Licensor and You.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for licensor

license

verb (tr)

to grant or give a licence for (something, such as the sale of alcohol)

to give permission to or for

Derived Formslicensable, adjectivelicenser or licensor, noun

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

Word Origin and History for licensor

license

see licence. Related: Licensed; licensing.

license

noun

verb (used with object), li·censed, li·cens·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of license

Examples from the Web for licensor

license

verb (tr)

license