li·cense (l  s ns)n. 1. a. Official or legal permission to do or own a specified thing. See Synonyms at permission. b. A document, plate, or tag that is issued as proof of official or legal permission: a driver's license. 2. Deviation from normal rules, practices, or methods in order to achieve a certain end or effect. 3. Latitude of action, especially in behavior or speech. See Synonyms at freedom. 4. a. Lack of due restraint; excessive freedom: "When liberty becomes license, dictatorship is near" (Will Durant). b. Heedlessness for the precepts of proper behavior; licentiousness. tr.v. li·censed, li·cens·ing, li·cens·es 1. To give or yield permission to or for. 2. To grant a license to or for; authorize. See Synonyms at authorize. [Middle English licence, from Old French, from Medieval Latin licentia, authorization, from Latin, freedom, from lic  ns, licent-, present participle of licre, to be permitted.]li cens·a·ble adj.li cens·er, li cen·sor (-sn-sôr) n. |
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