Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behaviour or speech).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Ellipsis of driver's license.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To authorize officially.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
(applied to a piece of intellectual property)
To give formal authorization to use.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
(applied to a piece of intellectual property)
To acquire authorization to use, usually in exchange for compensation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To give permission or freedom to; accept.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To permit (as grammatically correct).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, transitive
Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, sciences
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: permission, permit
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: authorization, authorisation, empowerment
Narrower terms: clearance, conge, congee, allowance, dispensation, toleration
noun
a legal document giving official permission to do something
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: licence, permit
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: legal document, legal instrument, official document, instrument
Narrower terms: building permit, driver's license, driver's licence, driving license, driving licence, fishing license, fishing licence, fishing permit, hunting license, hunting licence, hunting permit, game license, learner's permit, letter of marque, letters of marque, letter of mark and reprisal, liquor license, liquor licence, marriage license, marriage licence, wedding license, wedding licence, occupation license, occupation licence, pass, liberty chit
noun
freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: licence
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: liberty
Narrower terms: poetic license
noun
excessive freedom; lack of due restraint- Will Durant- Edmund Burke
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: licence
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: liberty
verb
authorize officially
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: licence, certify
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: authorize, authorise, pass, clear
Narrower terms: franchise, charter, accredit, recognize, recognise
History
From Middle English licence, licens, lisence, lissens, licance, from Old French licence, from Latin licentia (“license”), from licens, present participle of licere (“to be allowed, be allowable”); compare linquere, Ancient Greek λείπω (leípō, “leave”).
From Middle English licencen, licensen, lisensen, licent, from Old French licencer, licencier, licenciier, licenser, from Medieval Latin licentiō (cf. English licentiate).
Across languages
208 source translations are retained for this English entry.
