license

== English == === Alternative forms === licence (noun, Commonwealth) === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈlaɪ.səns/ Rhymes: -aɪsəns Hyphenation: li‧cense === Etymology 1 === From Middle English licence, licens, lisence, lissens, licance, from Old French licence, from Latin licentia (“license”), from licens, present participle of licere (“to be allowed, be allowable”); compare linquere, Ancient Greek λείπω (leípō, “leave”). ==== Noun ==== license (countable and uncountable, plural licenses) (American spelling) A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit. The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software. Freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behaviour or speech). Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint. Ellipsis of driver's license. ===== Usage notes ===== In British English, Canadian English, Australian English, Irish English, South African English and New Zealand English the noun is spelt licence and the verb is license. The spelling licence is not used for either part of speech in the United States. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Related terms ===== licensure licentious ===== Descendants ===== → Gulf Arabic: ليسن (lēsin) ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === From Middle English licencen, licensen, lisensen, licent, from Old French licencer, licencier, licenciier, licenser, from Medieval Latin licentiō (cf. English licentiate). ==== Verb ==== license (third-person singular simple present licenses, present participle licensing, simple past and past participle licensed) To authorize officially. (transitive) (applied to a piece of intellectual property) To give formal authorization to use. To acquire authorization to use, usually in exchange for compensation. (transitive) To give permission or freedom to; accept. (linguistics, transitive) To permit (as grammatically correct). ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === References === === Further reading === “license”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “license”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. Licence in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911) === Anagrams === selenic, silence