patent (redirected from patents)

pat·ent  (ptnt)

n.

1.

a. 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.

b. Letters patent.

c. An invention protected by such a grant.

2.

a. A grant made by a government that confers on an individual fee-simple title to public lands.

b. The official document of such a grant.

c. The land so granted.

3. An exclusive right or title.

adj.

1.

a. Protected or conferred by a patent or letters patent: a patent right.

b. Of, relating to, or dealing in patents: patent law.

2. also (ptnt) Obvious; plain. See Synonyms at apparent.

3. (ptnt) Biology

a. Not blocked; open.

b. Spreading open; expanded.

4. Of, relating to, or being a nonprescription drug or other medical preparation that is often protected by a trademark.

5. Of high quality. Used of flour.

6. also (ptnt) Archaic Open to general inspection. Used especially of documents.

tr.v. pat·ent·ed, pat·ent·ing, pat·ents

1. To obtain a patent on or for (an invention, for example).

2. To invent, originate, or be the proprietor of (an idea, for example).

3. To grant a patent to or for.

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[Middle English, document granting a right, short for (lettre) patent, open (letter), from Old French (lettre) patente, from Latin patns, patent-, open, present participle of patre, to be open; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]

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patent·a·bili·ty n.

patent·a·ble adj.

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patent

Noun

1.

a. an official document granting the exclusive right to make, use, and sell an invention for a limited period

b. the right granted by such a document

2. an invention protected by a patent

Adjective

1. open or available for inspection: letters patent

2. obvious: their scorn was patent to everyone

3. concerning protection of or appointment by a patent

4. (of food, drugs, etc.) made or held under a patent

Verb

to obtain a patent for (an invention) [Latin patere to lie open]

USAGE: The pronunciation pat-tunt is heard in letters patent and Patent Office and is the usual US pronunciation for all senses. In Britain pat-tunt is sometimes heard for senses 1, 2 and 3, but pay-tunt is commoner and is regularly used in collocations like patent leather.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	patent - a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention patent of invention document, papers, written document - writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
	2.	patent - an official document granting a right or privilege letters patent legal document, legal instrument, official document, instrument - (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
Verb	1.	patent - obtain a patent for; "Should I patent this invention?" procure, secure - get by special effort; "He procured extra cigarettes even though they were rationed"
	2.	patent - grant rights to; grant a patent for register - record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions
	3.	patent - make open to sight or notice; "His behavior has patented an embarrassing fact about him" alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"
Adj.	1.	patent - (of a bodily tube or passageway) open; affording free passage; "patent ductus arteriosus" unobstructed - free from impediment or obstruction or hindrance; "an unobstructed view"
	2.	patent - clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment; "the effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the parched fields"; "evident hostility"; "manifest disapproval"; "patent advantages"; "made his meaning plain"; "it is plain that he is no reactionary"; "in plain view" apparent, evident, manifest, plain, unmistakable obvious - easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind; "obvious errors"

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patent

noun 1. copyright, licence, franchise, registered trademark

adjective 2. obvious, apparent, evident, blatant, open, clear, glaring, manifest, transparent, conspicuous, downright, unmistakable, palpable, unequivocal, flagrant, indisputable, unconcealed

Translations

patent [ˈpeɪtnt] n → patente f

vt → patentar

adj → patente, evidente

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patent [ˈpeɪtnt] (US) [ˈpætnt] n → brevet m (d'invention)

vt → faire breveter

adj → patent(e) → manifeste

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patent [ˈpeɪtnt] n → Patent nt

vt → patentieren lassen

adj (= obvious) → offensichtlich

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patent [ˈpeɪtnt] n → brevetto

vt → brevettare

adj → patente, manifesto/a