Definitions of patent:

• noun:   a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
• noun:   an official document granting a right or privilege
• verb:   obtain a patent for

  Example: "Should I patent this invention?"

• verb:   grant rights to; grant a patent for
• verb:   make open to sight or notice

  Example: "His behavior has patented an embarrassing fact about him"

• adjective:   (of a bodily tube or passageway) open; affording free passage

  Example: "Patent ductus arteriosus"

• adjective:   clearly apparent or obvious to the mind or senses

  Example: "Patent advantages"