unpatented
|un-pat-ent-ed|
C1
/ʌnˈpætəntɪd/
not patented
Etymology
Etymology Information
'unpatented' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'patented', which comes from the Latin word 'patere', meaning 'to be open'.
Historical Evolution
'patented' evolved from the Latin 'patere' through Old French 'patent', eventually becoming the modern English word 'patent'. The prefix 'un-' was added to form 'unpatented'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, 'patent' meant 'open' or 'evident', but over time it evolved to mean 'exclusive rights granted'. 'Unpatented' thus means 'not having exclusive rights'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not protected by a patent.
The invention remains unpatented, leaving it open to public use.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 22:19