Are you licensed to use this machine?
Do you have a license acclaiming you to use this machine?
Are the above sentences right? Do you think that one of the sentence should have license with different spellings? Well, yes and no! The difference between the two spellings of license is very similar to practice and practise that once you've learned the difference for one, you instantly know it for the other!
License and licence are two words with exactly same sounds and meanings hence, they are called homophones. The words are used in different contexts though; one as verb and one as a noun. But this difference is common in a few countries of the world while the rest of them use the same license as a noun and a verb. This article will shade the meanings, usage, examples and differences between the two homophones so, keep reading!
Origin:
The word licence originated from late Middle English: via Old French from Latin licentia ‘freedom, licentiousness’ (in medieval Latin ‘authority, permission’), from licere ‘be lawful or permitted’. License originated from late Middle English: from licence. The spelling -se arose by analogy with pairs such as practice, practice.
Licence as noun:
The word licence is used as a noun in English language where it means a permit from an authority to own or use something, do a particular thing, or carry on a trade (especially in alcoholic drink).
A subsidiary company manufactured cranes under licence from a Norwegian firm.
Licence is also used to imply freedom to behave as one wishes, especially in a way which results in excessive or unacceptable behavior.
The government was criticized for giving the army too much licence.
A reason or excuse to do something unacceptable is also called a licence.
Police say that the lenient sentence is a licence to assault.
License as verb:
License with s is used as a verb in most countries where it means grant a licence to.
A pub has to be licensed by the local justices.
License is also used to imply the meaning of authorizing the use, performance, or release of (something).
The company expect that the drug will soon be licensed for use in the USA.
An old and dated meaning of the verb is also to permit (someone) to do something.
He was licensed to do no more than send a message.
Licence or License:
In American English, license is both a noun and a verb, and licence isn’t used. For example, one who is licensed to drive has a driver’s license. In all the other main varieties of English, licence is the noun, and license is the verb. So, for instance, one who is licensed to perform dental surgery has a dental surgeon’s licence.
Examples:
A judge on Monday threw out a legal challenge to Illusions magic bar’s entertainment license. [Baltimore Sun]
During the 90-minute operation, the camera scanned 1,758 license tags. [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Egypt said the American-backed pro-democracy groups were not licensed and were illegally funded. [Los Angeles Times]
A pub where a man was shot in the legs last weekend has had its licence suspended by Knowsley Council. [BBC]
Fleet separation means that only those who fish can own a licence. [Globe and Mail]
Fears that young drivers in Marton and Taihape will drive without licences because of a lack of testing facilities in their towns are unfounded. [Manawatu Standard]
Greenlight Music can license 1m songs at launch from the EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner catalogues. [Financial Times]
The content is licensed through a copyright management solution called CreativeCommons. [Mail & Guardian Online]
Have a discussion about this article with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In