I. noun
or li·cence ˈlī-s ə n(t)s
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French licence, from Latin licentia, from licent-, licens, present participle of licēre 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
II. transitive verb
also licence
( li·censed also li·cenced ; li·cens·ing also li·cenc·ing )
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : to issue a license to
b. : to permit or authorize especially by formal license
2. : to give permission or consent to : allow
• li·cens·able -s ə n(t)-sə-bəl adjective
• li·cen·sor -sər, ˌli-s ə n-ˈsȯr also li·cens·er -sər noun