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libretti
librettist
libretto
Libreville
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Libyan Desert
lice
licence plate
license
license plate
licensed practical nurse
licensed premises
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licensure
licentiate
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license

li·cense [ lss'nss ]


noun  (plural li·cens·es)
Definition:
 
1. permit: a printed document that gives official permission to a person or group to own something or do something

2. U.S. law legal authorization: official permission to do something, either from a government or under a law or regulation

3. U.S. chance to do something: the opportunity to do something, especially when this goes beyond normal limits
a license to print money

4. permission to bend truth: the freedom of a writer or artist to rearrange the facts of ordinary life in order to make a more striking effect
artistic license

5. U.S. lack of restraint: freedom in behavior or speech that exceeds what is considered appropriate



transitive verb  (past and past participle li·censed, present participle li·cens·ing, 3rd person present singular li·cens·es)
Definition:
 
formally allow somebody to do something: to give official permission for somebody to do something or for an activity to take place ( often passive )
He was licensed to practice medicine in the United States.

[14th century. Via French< Latin licentia "freedom" < licere "be allowed"]

li·cens·a·ble adjective
li·censed adjective
li·cen·ser noun
li·cen·sor noun
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