license

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An official document that gives you permission to do or own something.

   You need a license to drive a car.

2. 2
   verb

   To give someone official permission to do something.

   He is licensed to practise law in this state.

3. 3
   noun

   The legal terms that allow a person to use a product, especially software.

   Read the license carefully before installing the program.

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”).

Topics