li·cense (lī'səns)
n.

1. 1. Official or legal permission to do or own a specified thing. See synonyms at permission.
   2. A document, plate, or tag that is issued as proof of official or legal permission: a driver's license.
2. Deviation from normal rules, practices, or methods in order to achieve a certain end or effect.
3. Latitude of action, especially in behavior or speech. See synonyms at freedom.
4. 1. Lack of due restraint; excessive freedom: "When liberty becomes license, dictatorship is near" (Will Durant).
   2. Heedlessness for the precepts of proper behavior; licentiousness.

tr.v., -censed, -cens·ing, -cens·es.

1. To give or yield permission to or for.
2. To grant a license to or for; authorize. See synonyms at authorize.

[Middle English licence, from Old French, from Medieval Latin licentia, authorization, from Latin, freedom, from licēns, licent-, present participle of licēre, to be permitted.]

licensable li'cens·a·ble adj.
licenser li'cens·er or li'cen·sor' (-sən-sôr') n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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