patent
[ pat-nt or, for 10, 12-15, peyt-; especially British peyt-nt ]
/ ˈpæt nt or, for 10, 12-15, ˈpeɪt-; especially British ˈpeɪt nt /
Save This Word!
noun
adjective pa·tent [peyt-nt] /ˈpeɪt nt/ (for 10, 12-15)
verb (used with object)
SYNONYMS FOR patent
QUIZZES
WERE YOU BAMBOOZLED BY THE WORDS FROM FEBRUARY?
We understand! Words are tricky that way. Take this quiz on the Words of the Day from February, 2021, to show that you’re far from frumious!
Question 1 of 10
Which Word of the Day means “happening within or being the created world of a story”?
Origin of patent
First recorded in 1250–1300; (adjective) Middle English, from Latin patent- (stem of patēns ) “open,” present participle of patēre “to stand open, lie open”; (noun) Middle English, short for letters patent, translation of Medieval Latin litterae patentēs “open letters”
synonym study for patent
10. See apparent.
OTHER WORDS FROM patent
Words nearby patent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for patent
British Dictionary definitions for patent
patent
/ (ˈpætənt, ˈpeɪtənt) /
noun
adjective
verb (tr)
Derived forms of patent
patentable, adjectivepatentability, nounWord Origin for patent
C14: via Old French from Latin patēre to lie open; n use, short for letters patent, from Medieval Latin litterae patentes letters lying open (to public inspection)
usage for patent
The pronunciation (ˈpætənt) is heard in letters patent and Patent Office and is the usual US pronunciation for all senses. In Britain (ˈpætənt) is sometimes heard for senses 1, 2 and 3, but (ˈpeɪtənt) is commoner and is regularly used in collocations like patent leather
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
Medical definitions for patent
patent
[ păt′nt ]
n.
A grant made by a government that confers upon the creator of an invention the sole right to make, use, and sell that invention for a set period of time.
An invention protected by such a grant.
adj.
v.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.