1. Hist. A document granting some right or privilege, issued under governmental seal but open to public inspection. — Also termed literae patentes (lit-[schwa]r-ee p[schwa]-ten-teez). Cf. LETTERS SECRET.
2. A governmental grant of the exclusive right to use an invention or design. — Also termed (in both senses) patent deed. See PATENT(2). [Cases: Patents
1. C.J.S. Patents §§ 1–5, 10–12, 15.]