[li.cense] or li.cence n [ME, fr. MF licence, fr. L licentia, fr. licent-, licens, prp. of licere to be permitted] (14c) 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 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 syn see freedom
[2]license also licence vt li.censed ; li.cens.ing (15c) 1 a: to issue a license to b: to permit or authorize esp. by formal license
2: to give permission or consent to -- li.cens.able adj -- li.cens.er or li.cen.sor n