license
UK[ˈlaɪsns]US[ˈlaɪsns]
n
Official or legal permission to do or own something.
n
A document that shows you have official permission to do or own something.
v
To give official or legal permission for something.
Morpheme Breakdown
lic
ense
lic
permitted
ense
noun/verb suffix
Etymology
The word 'license' originates from the Latin verb licēre, meaning "to be allowed or permitted." This Latin root passed into Anglo-Norman and Middle English as licence, denoting formal permission or authority. The core semantic link from the ancient root to the modern term is direct: the state of being permitted. Over time, the meaning expanded to include the physical document that certifies this permission, as well as the act of granting it, solidifying its dual role as both a noun and a verb in contemporary English.
Analysis
Structure: lic (permitted) + ense (noun/verb suffix)
lic (from Latin licēre, meaning "to be permitted, to be allowed"); ense (a suffix forming nouns and verbs, from Latin -entia, indicating state or quality).
Examples
You need a valid driver's license to operate a vehicle.
The software is distributed under an open-source license.
The city council will license several new restaurants this year.