1. A document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
   "The company filed for a patent of invention for their new technology";
   - patent of invention
    
2. (law) an official document granting a right or privilege
   "The inventor was granted letters patent for her new device";
   - letters patent

1. Obtain a patent for
   "Should I patent this invention?"
    
2. Grant rights to; grant a patent for
   "The inventor patented his new device"
    
3. Make open to sight or notice
   "His behaviour has patented an embarrassing fact about him"

1. Clearly noticeable or obvious to the senses or understanding
   "patent advantages";
   - apparent, evident, manifest, palpable, plain, unmistakable, unmistakeable
    
2. (of a bodily tube or passageway) open; affording free passage
   "patent ductus arteriosus"

Derived forms: patents, patented, patenting

See also: obvious, unobstructed

Type of: alter, change, doc [informal], document, instrument, legal document, legal instrument, modify, official document, papers, procure, register, secure, written document

Encyclopedia: Patent