n.
Pronunciation: ' pa-t ə nt, Brit also ' p ā -
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : an official document conferring a right or privilege : LETTERS PATENT
2 a : a writing securing for a term of years the exclusive right to make, use, or sell an invention b : the monopoly or right so granted c : a patented invention
3 : PRIVILEGE , LICENSE
4 : an instrument making a conveyance of public lands also : the land so conveyed
5 : PATENT LEATHER