license

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative forms 1.1.1 Usage notes 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Pronunciation 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations 1.5 Verb 1.5.1 Derived terms 1.5.2 Translations 1.6 External links

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative forms

• (Commonwealth English) licence (noun only)

[edit] Usage notes

In British and Australian English, licence is a noun and license is a verb. Canadian English uses licence for the noun and license or licence for the verb.

[edit] Etymology

From Old French licence < Latin licentia (“‘license’”) < licens, ppr. of licere (“‘to be allowed, be allowable’”); cf. linquere, Greek λείπειν (leipein), “‘to leave’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlaɪsəns/, SAMPA: /"laIs@ns/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Hyphenation: li‧cense

[edit] Noun

Wikipedia

license (plural licenses)

1. A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.
2. The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software.

   Even if you bought this product, it does NOT belong to you. You have a license to use it under the terms of this agreement, until you breach this agreement.

3. Freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech).
4. Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint.
   • 1936, Will Durant and Ariel Durant, The Story of Civilization, page 520:

     When liberty becomes license dictatorship is near.

5. An academic degree, the holder of which is called a licentiate, ranking slightly below doctorate, awarded by certain European and Latin-American universities.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to license (third-person singular simple present licenses, present participle licensing, simple past and past participle licensed)

1. The act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization.

   It was decided to license Wikipedia under the GFDL.

2. Authorize officially.

   I am licensed to practice law in this state.

[edit] Derived terms

• licensable
• licensee
• license plate
• licenser
• licensor

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• license in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• license in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911