the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years.

an invention or process protected by this right.

an official document conferring such a right; letters patent.

the instrument by which the government of the United States conveys the legal fee-simple title to public land.

patent leather.

protected by a patent; patented

a patent cooling device.

pertaining to, concerned with, or dealing with patents, esp. on inventions

a patent attorney; patent law.

conferred by a patent, as a right or privilege.

holding a patent, as a person.

readily open to notice or observation; evident; obvious

a patent breach of good manners.

made of patent leather

patent shoes.

lying open; not enclosed or shut in

a patent field.

Chiefly Botany . expanded or spreading.

open, as a doorway or a passage.

Phonetics . open, in various degrees, to the passage of the breath stream.

to take out a patent on; obtain the exclusive rights to (an invention, process, etc.) by a patent.

to originate and establish as one's own.

Metallurgy . to heat and quench (wire) so as to prepare for cold-drawing.

to grant (public land) by a patent.

adjective

concealed , hidden , inconspicuous

adjective

apparent , barefaced * , blatant , clear , clear-cut , controlled , crystal clear , distinct , downright , evident , exclusive , flagrant , glaring , gross * , indisputable , limited , manifest , obvious , open , open and shut , palpable , plain , prominent , rank , straightforward , transparent , unequivocal , unmistakable , broad , noticeable , observable , pronounced , visible

noun

charter , concession , control , franchise , license , limitation , privilege , protection , apparent , clear , conspicuous , distinct , evident , flagrant , gross , manifest , obvious , open , overt , plain , rank , unobstructed