lettres patentes

Middle English

Alternative forms

lettre patent, letters patentes, letres patentes, lettres patents, lettirs patentes

Etymology

From the plural of Anglo-Norman lettre patente (“open letter”), from Latin littera patens.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈlɛtrəs ˌpatɛntis/

Noun

lettres patentes pl (plural only)

A letter or letters conferring a privilege or status; letters patent.

Descendants

English: letters patent (archaic letters patents)

References

“patent(e, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

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