patent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
    patent of invention.
  2. noun an official document granting a right or privilege
    letters patent.
  3. verb obtain a patent for
    • Should I patent this invention?
  4. verb grant rights to; grant a patent for
  5. verb make open to sight or notice
    • His behavior has patented an embarrassing fact about him
  6. adjective satellite (of a bodily tube or passageway) open; affording free passage
    • patent ductus arteriosus
  7. adjective satellite clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
    evident; plain; apparent; unmistakable; manifest.
    • the effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the parched fields
    • evident hostility
    • manifest disapproval
    • patent advantages
    • made his meaning plain
    • it is plain that he is no reactionary
    • in plain view

WordNet

Pat"ent adjective
Etymology
L. patens, -entis, p.pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf. Fathom.
Definitions
  1. (Oftener pronounced p&amac;t"ent in this sense) Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public; conspicuous.
    He had received instructions, both patent and secret. Motley.
  2. Open to public perusal; -- said of a document conferring some right or privilege; as, letters patent. See Letters patent, under 3d Letter.
  3. Appropriated or protected by letters patent; secured by official authority to the exclusive possession, control, and disposal of some person or party; patented; as, a patent right; patent medicines.
    Madder . . . in King Charles the First's time, was made a patent commodity. Mortimer.
  4. (Bot.) Spreading; forming a nearly right angle with the steam or branch; as, a patent leaf.
Pat"ent noun
Etymology
Cf. F. patente. See Patent, a.
Definitions
  1. A letter patent, or letters patent; an official document, issued by a sovereign power, conferring a right or privilege on some person or party. Specifically: (a) A writing securing to an invention. (b) A document making a grant and conveyance of public lands.
    Four other gentlemen of quality remained mentioned in that patent. Fuller.
    ✍ In the United States, by the act of 1870, patents for inventions are issued for seventeen years, without the privilege of renewal except by act of Congress.
  2. The right or privilege conferred by such a document; hence, figuratively, a right, privilege, or license of the nature of a patent.
    If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend. Shak.
Pat"ent transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Patented; present participle & verbal noun Patenting
Definitions
  1. To grant by patent; to make the subject of a patent; to secure or protect by patent; as, to patent an invention; to patent public lands.

Webster 1913