li·cense
(lī́səns)
[Middle English licence, from Old French, from Medieval Latin licentia, authorization, from Latin, freedom, from licēns, licent- present participle of licēre, to be permitted.]
noun
- Official or legal permission to do or own a specified thing. See synonyms at permission
- A document, plate, or tag that is issued as proof of official or legal permission: a driver's license.
- Deviation from normal rules, practices, or methods in order to achieve a certain end or effect.
- Latitude of action, especially in behavior or speech. See synonyms at freedom
- Lack of due restraint; excessive freedom: “When liberty becomes license, dictatorship is near” (Will Durant)
- Heedlessness for the precepts of proper behavior; licentiousness.
transitive verb: -censed, -cens·ing, -cens·es.
- To give or yield permission to or for.
- To grant a license to or for; authorize. See synonyms at authorize
derivatives
- lícens·a·ble
- adjective
- lícens·er
- noun
