lettres patentes

== Middle English == === Alternative forms === lettre patent, letters patentes, letres patentes, lettres patents, lettirs patentes === Etymology === From the plural of Anglo-Norman lettre patente (“open letter”), from Latin littera patens. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈlɛtrəs ˌpatɛntis/ === Noun === lettres patentes pl (plural only) A letter or letters conferring a privilege or status; letters patent. ==== Descendants ==== English: letters patent (archaic letters patents) ==== References ==== “patent(e, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.