license

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of giving a formal, usually written, authorization

   I issued a creative license so they could use my images.

2. 2
   verb

   authorize officially

   I am licensed to practice law in this state

3. 3
   noun

   A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.

   Hello. I would like to buy a fish licence please.

4. 4
   noun

   The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software.

   Thus, while the license will grant the user the right to use the software, a major concern is the scope of that use. For example, will the user be granted the right to copy, modify, or transfer the software?

5. 5
   noun

   Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint.

   I envy not the beast that takes ⁠His license in the field of time, ⁠Unfetter’d by the sense of crime, To whom a conscience never wakes; […]

6. 6
   noun

   Ellipsis of driver's license.

   In order to enter the building, I need to show my license.

7. 7
   verb

   To authorize officially.

   I am licensed to practice law in this state.

8. 8
   verb

   (applied to a piece of intellectual property)

   It was decided to license Wikipedia under the GFDL.

Etymology

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”).