patents
patents — adjective
- patentspositive
- more patentscomparative
- most patentssuperlative
1. so clear and easy to see that no one could miss it or deny it; used especially a
so clear and easy to see that no one could miss it or deny it; used especially about faults, problems, or differences
The judge pointed out a patent error in the witness's story that changed the verdict.
Kwame's patent lack of interest in the project was noticed by the whole team.
There is a patent difference between what the company promises and what it delivers.
It is patent that the new traffic system has made the morning commute even worse.
Yuki could see a patent contradiction in her manager's instructions that confused the whole department.
- subtle
describes something that is difficult to notice, the opposite of obvious
文法句型
patent + noun
it is patent + that-clause
patent + noun + be + adjective
用法筆記
Used mainly in formal or written English. Common in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts to describe flaws or disparities.
常見錯誤
2. describes a product, invention, or process that is owned by law by a specific pe
describes a product, invention, or process that is owned by law by a specific person or company, giving them the sole right to make and sell it
The patent medicine can only be sold by the drug company that developed the formula.
Nikhil's company holds several patent rights for its innovative water filters.
Any patent product must display a registration number so buyers know it is protected.
The patent status of the new solar panel means competitors cannot copy its design.
- proprietary
broader — refers to anything owned by a person or company, not limited to inventions
- protected
more general; can refer to many kinds of legal protection, not just patents
- unpatented
describes an invention that has not been granted a patent
文法句型
patent + noun
用法筆記
Always placed before the noun it describes. Often used in legal and business contexts to distinguish protected items from generic ones.
patents — noun
- patentssingular
- patentsesplural
1. an official right given by a government that allows an inventor to be the only p
an official right given by a government that allows an inventor to be the only person or company allowed to make, use, or sell a new invention for a limited number of years
Lakshmi applied for a patent on her new battery design last month.
apply for a patent (collocation for seeking legal protection)
The patent for this medical device belongs to a university research team in Nairobi.
Getting a patent requires a very detailed description of how the invention works.
Beatrix checked whether her software idea could be protected by a patent.
Companies often buy patents from smaller inventors to grow their product range.
文法句型
patent + for [noun]
patent + on [noun]
patent + to [verb]
用法筆記
Patents are granted for a fixed period, typically 20 years from the filing date. After expiry, the invention enters the public domain.
常見錯誤
2. a type of leather that has a very shiny, smooth, hard surface, often used to mak
a type of leather that has a very shiny, smooth, hard surface, often used to make formal shoes, bags, and belts
Sora wore black patent leather shoes to his cousin's wedding ceremony.
The dance teacher told her students to buy patent leather tap shoes for the show.
Anya polished her patent leather handbag until it shone like a mirror.
Hiroshi wore his grandfather's patent leather oxfords to the graduation ceremony in Kyoto.
- suede
a type of leather with a soft, rough surface, the opposite of shiny
- matte leather
leather with a dull, non-shiny finish
文法句型
patent leather + noun
用法筆記
Often used as part of compound nouns describing items made from this material, e.g. patent leather shoes. Do not confuse this sense with the legal meaning of 'patent'.
patents — verb
- patentspresent simple I / you / we / they
- patentses3rd person singular
- patentsing-ing form
- patentsedpast simple
1. to successfully apply to a government office and receive the legal right to be t
to successfully apply to a government office and receive the legal right to be the only person or company allowed to make and sell an invention or new process
Rodrigo patented his new software tool before showing it to potential investors.
patent + noun (software / invention / design) meaning obtain legal protection
The research team patented their method for turning plastic waste into fuel.
It took Mira more than three years to patent her design in Europe and Asia.
Inventors should patent their ideas early to stop larger companies from copying them.
文法句型
patent + noun (invention / design / method / process)
用法筆記
The subject is the person or company applying for and receiving the patent. In business contexts, 'file for a patent' or 'apply for a patent' is more common than the verb 'patent' by itself.
常見錯誤
2. when a government office officially gives someone the legal rights to own and co
when a government office officially gives someone the legal rights to own and control a new invention, usually after reviewing their application
The patent office patented the device to Dr Lim after a two-year review process.
The government patented the formula to the university laboratory, not the private company.
A new nanoparticle vaccine was patented to a biotech startup in Cape Town by the South African patent office.
The European Patent Office patented the technology to a consortium of research institutes.
文法句型
patent + noun + to [recipient]
be patented to [someone]
用法筆記
The subject is the organisation that issues the patent, not the person receiving it. Commonly used in the passive voice: 'The invention was patented to the university.'