patent

a. [ L. patens, -entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf. Fathom. ] 1. (Oftener pronounced xex>in this sense) Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public; conspicuous. [ 1913 Webster ]

He had received instructions, both patent and secret. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Open to public perusal; -- said of a document conferring some right or privilege; as, letters patent. See Letters patent, under 3d Letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Appropriated or protected by letters patent; secured by official authority to the exclusive possession, control, and disposal of some person or party; patented; as, a patent right; patent medicines. [ 1913 Webster ]

Madder . . . in King Charles the First's time, was made a patent commodity. Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Bot.) Spreading; forming a nearly right angle with the steam or branch; as, a patent leaf. [ 1913 Webster ]

Patent leather, a varnished or lacquered leather, used for boots and shoes, and in carriage and harness work. --
Patent office, a government bureau for the examination of inventions and the granting of patents. --
Patent right. (a) The exclusive right to an invention, and the control of its manufacture. (b) (Law) The right, granted by the sovereign, of exclusive control of some business of manufacture, or of the sale of certain articles, or of certain offices or prerogatives. --
Patent rolls, the registers, or records, of patents. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Patented; p. pr. & vb. n. Patenting. ] To grant by patent; to make the subject of a patent; to secure or protect by patent; as, to patent an invention; to patent public lands. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Suitable to be patented; capable of being patented. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One to whom a grant is made, or a privilege secured, by patent. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Stone Cutting) Having a surface dressed by cutting with a hammer the head of which consists of broad thin chisels clamped together. [ 1913 Webster ]