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
3. 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

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

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