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 formsli·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. 2018

Examples from the Web for licensor

Historical Examples of 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
"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
The licensor permits others to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work.
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
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.