licensee
UK[ˌlaɪsn̩ˈsiː]US[ˌlaɪsənˈsiː]
n
A person or organization that has been given official permission to do or use something, especially by a government or a company that owns a right.
Morpheme Breakdown
licens
ee
licens
to permit
ee
recipient
Etymology
The word 'licensee' is a legal term constructed within the English language by combining an existing noun with a productive suffix. The base 'license', which entered English via Old French from Latin 'licentia' (meaning "freedom, liberty, permission"), denotes the official authority granted. The suffix '-ee', borrowed from the Anglo-French past participle ending, was adopted into English legal terminology to systematically indicate the passive recipient of an action or grant. Therefore, a 'licensee' is literally "one to whom a license is granted," a logical and transparent formation that precisely defines the holder's legal status as the beneficiary of the permission.
Analysis
Structure: licens (to permit) + ee (recipient)
- licens: From Anglo-French/Old French 'licence', from Latin 'licentia' (freedom, permission). In this word, it functions as the base meaning "permission" or "authority".
- ee: From Anglo-French '-é', a suffix forming past participles, which evolved in English into a suffix denoting a person who is the recipient or beneficiary of an action (e.g., employee, payee).
Examples
The pub's new licensee is responsible for ensuring all alcohol laws are followed.
The software company sued the licensee for violating the terms of the agreement.
As a franchise licensee, she operates her store under the brand's strict guidelines.