∙ A declaration issued by a government agency declaring someone the inventor of a new invention and having the privilege of stopping others from making, using or selling the claimed invention; a letter patent.
∙ A specific grant of ownership of a piece of property; a land patent.
∙ Patent leather: a varnished, high-gloss leather typically used for shoes and accessories.
Verb
∙ To successfully register an invention with a government agency; to secure a letter patent.
Adjective
∙ open, unobstructed, expanded. biology
∙ explicit and obvious.
∙ that is fine, and consists mostly of the inner part of the endosperm of flour
∙ Open; unconcealed; conspicuous.
∙ Open to public perusal; said of a document conferring some right or privilege.