license

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a legal document giving official permission to do something
  2. noun freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech)
  3. noun excessive freedom; lack of due restraint; - Will Durant; - Edmund Burke

Etymology

From Middle English licence, licens, lisence, lissens, licance, from Old French licence, from Latin licentia (“license”), from licens, present participle of licere (“to be allowed, be allowable”); compare linquere, Ancient Greek λείπω (leípō, “leave”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

licence, permit

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