Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • An official document granting a right or privilege: A formal, open document issued by a sovereign, head of state, or government, conferring a specific right, title, monopoly, or status to an individual, corporation, or institution. Historically, it was a primary means for a monarch to grant lands, titles, or exclusive rights (like patents for inventions).

Usage

• The term is used in formal, legal, and historical contexts to refer to the official instrument that creates a patent or confers a specific privilege.
• It is typically used in its plural form "letters patent," even when referring to a single document or grant.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The inventor received letters patent from the government, granting him the exclusive right to produce his new device for 20 years.
  • The King issued letters patent to create the new dukedom.
  • The company's foundation was based on the letters patent granted by the crown in the 17th century.

Advanced Usage

• "To be granted by letters patent": To receive an official right or title through this specific type of document.
  • The title of Baronet is conferred by letters patent.
• "Letters patent of invention": Specifically refers to the document granting a patent for an invention.
  • He framed the original letters patent for his groundbreaking engine.

Variants and Related Words

• Patent (noun): The exclusive right granted by letters patent, especially for an invention; or the document itself in modern, simplified form. (e.g., )
• Letters close (noun, historical): A contrasting type of sealed document intended for a private party, not for public proclamation like letters patent.

Synonyms

• Charter: A written grant by a sovereign or legislature, especially one creating a corporation or defining its privileges.
• Grant: A document conferring a right or property.
• Writ: A formal written order issued by a court or sovereign.

Notes

• The phrase "letters patent" originates from the Latin , meaning "open letters," referring to the document being open for public inspection, often sealed with a great seal.
• In modern legal systems, the term is still used formally, though the document itself is often simply called a "patent" (e.g., utility patent, design patent).

Noun

1. an official document granting a right or privilege