I. pa ‧ tent 1 /ˈpeɪtnt, ˈpæ- $ ˈpæ-/ BrE AmE noun
[uncountable and countable] a special document that gives you the right to make or sell a new ↑ invention or product that no one else is allowed to copy ⇨ copyright
patent on/for
He applied for a patent for a new method of removing paint.
He wants to take out a patent on his new type of dustbin.
The drugs are protected by patent.
II. patent 2 BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: French ; Origin: Latin , present participle of patere 'to be open' ]
1 . protected by a patent:
a patent lock
2 . patent lie/nonsense/impossibility etc formal used to emphasize that something is clearly a lie etc SYN obvious
⇨ ↑ patently
III. patent 3 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
to obtain a special document giving you the right to make or sell a new ↑ invention or product ⇨ copyright