Licensee

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌlaɪsənˈsiː/

Definitions

1. An individual or organization that obtains formal approval to exercise certain rights or conduct specified activities within established regulations
2. A person or entity that is authorized through a legal contract to perform particular functions or utilize certain resources as stipulated by governing rules
3. A party that has received official permission to engage in activities or use services defined by an agreement and regulated by applicable laws

Etymology: The word is a simple formation: "license" with the suffix "-ee," which English took from French and which marks the person on the receiving end of an action. A licensee is therefore the one who is granted a license, as opposed to the licensor, who grants it. The "-ee" ending is the same one found in "employee," "trustee" and "payee." The base word has a longer road behind it. "License" descends from Latin "licentia," meaning freedom or liberty, which came from "licere," to be permitted. The Latin sense of permission survives in the modern noun. The suffix itself traces back through Old French, where "-ee" arose from the Latin "-atus" ending. In English, the older "-ee" forms appeared in Middle English before the suffix became productive enough to attach to new words. The formation is plainly modern in character: a legal and commercial term built by adding a familiar suffix to a long-established noun. Its meaning stays close to its parts, so no dramatic shift has occurred.

Synonyms: permit holder, grantee, authorized person, recipient, allowee