licentia

freedom, permission

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A uniformed clerk unlocks a gated equipment stall and hands a key to one approved worker while others remain outside the barrier, showing official permission to use something otherwise restricted.

noun / verb

license

LYE-suhns/lˈaɪsʌns/

Permission to act beyond an otherwise imposed restriction.

Etymology

licenseLatinfreedom, permission

Latin licentia meant freedom or liberty. In this official sense, that freedom is permission granted by an authority to do something otherwise restricted.

Full entry

Related word entries

license
licentious