patent in WordNet English dictionary

1. clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
   "the effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the parched fields"; "evident hostility"; "manifest disapproval"; "patent advantages"; "made his meaning plain"; "it is plain that he is no reactionary"; "in plain view"
   apparent  evident  manifest  patent  plain  unmistakable 
   
2. (of a bodily tube or passageway) open; affording free passage
   "patent ductus arteriosus"
   patent 
   

1. an official document granting a right or privilege
   patent  letters patent 
   
2. a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
   patent  patent of invention 
   

1. make open to sight or notice
   "His behavior has patented an embarrassing fact about him"
   patent 
   
2. obtain a patent for
   "Should I patent this invention?"
   patent 
   
3. grant rights to; grant a patent for
   patent