Letters Patent
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The name of an Instrument granted by the government to convey a right to the patentee; as, a patent for a tract of land; or to secure to him a right which he already possesses, as, a patent for a new invention or discovery. Letters patent are matter of record. They are so called because they are not sealed up, but are granted open. See "Patent."
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
The name of an instrument executed by a government to grant a right to the patentee: as, a patent for a tract of land; or to secure to him an exclusive right to a new invention or discovery. Letters patent are matter of record. They are so called because they are not sealed, but are open. See Patent. Letters patent are issued to an English peer, and for other like purposes.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Open letters, as distinguished from letters close. An instrument proceeding from the government, and conveying a right, authority, or grant to an individual, as a patent for a tract of land, or for the exclusive right to make and sell a new invention. Familiarly termed a "patent." See International Tooth Crown Co. v. Hanks Dental Ass'n (C. C.) Ill Fed. 918.
Defined under Patent in Black's Law Dictionary.