licence
pronunciation
How to pronounce licence in British English:
UK [ˈlaɪsns]
How to pronounce licence in American English:
US [ˈlaɪsns]
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- Noun:
- excessive freedom; lack of due restraint
- freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech)
- a legal document giving official permission to do something
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- Verb:
- authorize officially
Word Origin
- licence
- licence: see leisure
- licence (n.)
- mid-14c., "liberty (to do something), leave," from Old French licence "freedom, liberty, power, possibility; permission," (12c.), from Latin licentia "freedom, liberty, license," from licentem (nominative licens), present participle of licere "to be allowed, be lawful," from PIE root *leik- "to offer, bargain" (cognates: Lettish likstu "I come to terms"). Meaning "formal (usually written) permission from authority to do something" (marry, hunt, drive, etc.) is first attested early 15c. Meaning "excessive liberty, disregard of propriety" is from mid-15c. There have been attempts to confine license to verbal use and licence to noun use (compare advise/advice, devise/device.
- licence (v.)
- c. 1400, "grant formal authorization," from license (n.). Related: Licenced; Licencing.
Example
- 1. And shops should need a licence to sell cigarettes .
- 2. It takes six months to obtain a one-year licence .
- 3. It already has a licence in hong kong .
- 4. The company has appealed against the abrupt cancellation of its licence .
- 5. Getting a licence can be time-consuming .