patent

Where does the word "patent" come from? It comes from Latin patere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Patent’s story begins in Latin: patere meant “to lie open.” The root of 'patio'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as patent. 'letters patent' were open royal documents. It reached English by 1300s as patent. Inventors' patents date from the 1600s. Today, patent means a government licence for an invention; obvious.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient patere "to lie open", the root of 'patio'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval patent "open", 'letters patent' were open royal documents.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s patent "open", inventors' patents date from the 1600s.