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nounverb

le brevet

patent

Definition & meaning

In French, the word brevet primarily refers to an official document, certificate, or license. It is used in several specific contexts:

  1. Patent: In the legal and industrial world, a "brevet d'invention" is a title issued by a government authority that grants an inventor the exclusive right to exploit an invention for a limited period.
  2. Educational Diploma: It most frequently refers to the "Diplôme national du brevet" , which is the first major exam and diploma French students take at the end of middle school (around age 14 or 15).
  3. Professional or Military Certificate: It designates various technical or professional qualifications, such as a "brevet de pilote" (pilot's license) or a "brevet de technicien" . In a military context, it can refer to a commission or a specific qualification (like a paratrooper's wings).

Grammar & Word origin

The word brevet is a masculine noun.

It originates from the Old French word bref , meaning "short," which comes from the Latin brevis. Historically, a brevet was a "short" administrative document or a brief letter from a monarch or authority figure that granted a right, a title, or a specific favor to an individual.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • Diplôme : Used specifically for educational achievements.
  • Certificat : A general term for an official paper attesting to a fact or a skill.
  • Licence : Often used when the document grants permission to practice a specific trade or activity.
  • Titre : Used in legal contexts to describe a title of ownership or property.

Antonyms: As a noun representing an object or a legal status, it does not have a direct opposite. However, in certain contexts, related concepts include:

  • Domaine public : In the context of intellectual property, this refers to inventions that are not (or are no longer) protected by a patent.
  • Copie or Contrefaçon : Referring to an unauthorized or non-patented imitation of an invention.

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Examples

L'entreprise a déposé un nouveau brevet hier.noun

The company filed a new patent yesterday.

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