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DictionarypatentClearly apparent
adjective

patent

Easy to see or recognize.

The contradiction between the two accounts is patent.

Etymology
patentLatinto lie open

Latin patere means to lie open. What is patent is figuratively open to view, so it is readily apparent rather than concealed.

More examples

  • It was a patent falsehood.
  • Her explanation contained a patent error.
  • The injustice was patent to everyone present.

Forms

patent

Similar words

obvious
The more everyday word for easy to recognize.
explicit
Means directly stated, not merely evident.