n.
Variant: or li · cence
Pronunciation: ' l ī -s ə n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French licence, from Latin licentia, from licent-, licens, present participle of lic ē re to be permitted
Date: 14th century
1 a : permission to act b : freedom of action
2 a : a permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful b : a document, plate, or tag evidencing a license granted c : a grant by the holder of a copyright or patent to another of any of the rights embodied in the copyright or patent short of an assignment of all rights
3 a : freedom that allows or is used with irresponsibility b : disregard for standards of personal conduct : LICENTIOUSNESS
4 : deviation from fact, form, or rule by an artist or writer for the sake of the effect gained
synonyms see FREEDOM
– licensed adjective