Patented - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Definition:
Legally protected invention or process, granting exclusive rights to the inventor.
Synonyms:
proprietary, copyrighted, trademarked, licensed
Part of Speech:
adjective, verb (past tense)
Antonyms:
unpatented, generic, public domain
Common Collocations:
patented technology, patented product, patented design, patented medicine
Derivatives:
patenting, patentable
Usage Tips:
Use "patented" to describe inventions legally protected from unauthorized use or copying.
Common Phrases:
patented process, under patent protection, hold a patent
Etymology:
Derived from Latin "patent-" meaning "lying open," referring to official documents granting rights.
Examples:
- 1. The company patented its innovative solar panel design last year.
- 2. She discovered a new formula and quickly patented it to prevent imitation.
- 3. This device uses patented technology to improve efficiency.
- 4. Many pharmaceutical drugs are patented for 20 years before generics appear.