patent
 pat·ent (pătʹnt)n.
1.
a. A grant made by a government that confers upon the creator of an invention the sole right to make, use, and sell that invention for a set period of time.
b. Letters patent.
c. An invention protected by such a grant.
2.
a. A grant made by a government that confers on an individual fee-simple title to public lands.
b. The official document of such a grant.
c. The land so granted.
3. An exclusive right or title.adj.
1.
a. Protected or conferred by a patent or letters patent:
a patent right.
b. Of, relating to, or dealing in patents:
patent law.
2. (also pātʹnt) Obvious; plain. See Synonyms at apparent.
3. (pātʹnt) Biology.
a. Not blocked; open.
b. Spreading open; expanded.
4. Of, relating to, or being a nonprescription drug or other medical preparation that is often protected by a trademark.
5. Of high quality. Used of flour.
6. (also pātʹnt) Archaic. Open to general inspection. Used especially of documents.tr.v. pat·ent·ed, pat·ent·ing, pat·ents
1. To obtain a patent on or for (an invention, for example).
2. To invent, originate, or be the proprietor of (an idea, for example).
3. To grant a patent to or for. [Middle English, document granting a right, short for (lettre) patent, open (letter), from Old French (lettre) patente, from Latin patēns, patent-, open, present participle of patēre, to be open. See petə- in Indo-European Roots.] pat'ent·a·bilʹi·ty n.patʹent·a·ble adj.
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