n. (US license) 1 a permit from an authority to own or use something (esp. a dog, gun, television set, or vehicle), do something (esp. marry, print something, preach, or drive on a public road), or carry on a trade (esp. in alcoholic liquor). 2 leave, permission (have I your licence to remove the fence?). 3 a liberty of action, esp. when excessive; disregard of law or propriety, abuse of freedom. b licentiousness. 4 a writer's or artist's irregularity in grammar, metre, perspective, etc., or deviation from fact, esp. for effect (poetic licence). 5 a university certificate of competence in a faculty. license plate US the number plate of a licensed vehicle.
[ ME f. OF f. L licentia f. licere be lawful: -se by confusion with LICENSE ]