patent — [pat′ nt; ] for adj. 2 4 & 8 [ pāt′ nt, pat′ nt; ] Brit usually [ pāt′ nt] adj. [ME < MFr & L: MFr patent < L patens, prp. of patere, to be open: see PATELLA] 1. a) open to examination by the public: said of a document granting some right… … English World dictionary
patent — pat·ent 1 / pat ənt3 also pāt / adj [Anglo French, from Latin patent patens, from present participle of patēre to be open] 1 a: open to public inspection see also letters patent at letter 2 … Law dictionary
patent of invention — patent (of invention) n. The granting of a right or authority by the federal government; the document granting that right or authority; an exclusive right to make, use, or sell an invention granted to the inventor of a unique device or process… … Law dictionary
Patent prosecution — describes the interaction between an applicant, or their representative, and a patent office with regard to a patent, or an application for a patent. Broadly, patent prosecution can be split into pre grant prosecution, which involves negotiation… … Wikipedia
Patent troll — is a pejorative but questioned term used for a person or company who is a non practicing inventor, and buys and enforces patents against one or more alleged infringers in a manner considered by the target or observers as unduly aggressive or… … Wikipedia
Patent holding company — Patent holding companies are companies set up to administer, consolidate and license patents or otherwise enforce patent rights, such as through litigation. Many patent holding companies have been characterized pejoratively as patent trolls due… … Wikipedia
Patent — Pat ent (p[a^]t ent or p[=a]t ent), a. [L. patens, entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf. {Fathom}.] 1. Note: (Oftener pronounced p[=a]t ent in this sense) Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Patent leather — Patent Pat ent (p[a^]t ent or p[=a]t ent), a. [L. patens, entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf. {Fathom}.] 1. Note: (Oftener pronounced p[=a]t ent in this sense) Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Patent office — Patent Pat ent (p[a^]t ent or p[=a]t ent), a. [L. patens, entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf. {Fathom}.] 1. Note: (Oftener pronounced p[=a]t ent in this sense) Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Patent right — Patent Pat ent (p[a^]t ent or p[=a]t ent), a. [L. patens, entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf. {Fathom}.] 1. Note: (Oftener pronounced p[=a]t ent in this sense) Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Patent rolls — Patent Pat ent (p[a^]t ent or p[=a]t ent), a. [L. patens, entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf. {Fathom}.] 1. Note: (Oftener pronounced p[=a]t ent in this sense) Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English