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license definition

li·cense (lī′səns)

noun

  1. a formal permission to do something; esp. authorization by law to do some specified thing license to marry, practice medicine, hunt, etc.
  2. a document, printed tag, permit, etc. indicating that such permission has been granted
    1. freedom to deviate from strict conduct, rule, or practice, generally permitted by common consent poetic license
    2. an instance of such deviation
  4. excessive, undisciplined freedom, constituting an abuse of liberty
Also, Brit. sp., licence li′·cence

Etymology: OFr < L licentia < licens, prp. of licere, to be permitted: see leisure

transitive verb licensed -·censed, licensing -·cens·ing

to give license or a license to or for; permit formally

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business license definition - business

law license definition - legal

license Synonyms

license

n.

  1. Unbridled use of freedom

    looseness, excess, laxity, slackness, relaxedness, effrontery, arrogance, sauciness, immoderation, debauchery, sensuality, gluttony, audacity, forwardness, temerity, boldness, complacency, wantonness, prodigality, epicureanism, wild living, lawlessness, indulgence, presumptuousness, unrestraint, licentiousness, self-indulgence, profligacy, unruliness, refractoriness, gall*, brass*, crust*. *

  2. A formal permission

    permit, consent, grant; see permission. See syn. study at freedom.


license

v.

permit, authorize, privilege, accredit; see allow 1, commission. See syn. study at commission.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

license Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • revoke: Either party may revoke this license at any time by giving the other party written notice.

Adjective modifier

  • creative: All my images have a Creative Commons license on them.

Modifies a noun

  • plate: You purchase a vanity car license plate with your screen name on it.

Noun used with modifier

  • commons: All my images have a Creative Commons license on them.

Possessives

  • driver: You see, should they get pulled over by a police officer, the officer will ask for the driver's license.

Preposition: in

  • perpetuity: JISC, however, has bought a license in perpetuity.
license usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

license quotes

It is a misfortune that necessity has induced men to accord greater licensetothis formidable engine, inorder to obtain liberty, than can be borne with less important objects in view; for the press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.

-Cooper,James Fenimore

license quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"license." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/license>

APA Style

license. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/license

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