Patent

English Meaning

Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public; conspicuous.

1. 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.
2. Letters patent.
3. An invention protected by such a grant.
4. A grant made by a government that confers on an individual fee-simple title to public lands.
5. The official document of such a grant.
6. The land so granted.
7. An exclusive right or title.
8. Protected or conferred by a patent or letters patent: a patent right.
9. Of, relating to, or dealing in patents: patent law.
10. Obvious; plain. See Synonyms at apparent.
11. Biology Not blocked; open.
12. Biology Spreading open; expanded.
13. Of, relating to, or being a nonprescription drug or other medical preparation that is often protected by a trademark.
14. Of high quality. Used of flour.
15. Archaic Open to general inspection. Used especially of documents.
16. To obtain a patent on or for (an invention, for example).
17. To invent, originate, or be the proprietor of (an idea, for example).
18. To grant a patent to or for.