libration 
rising, which disappear a* her i-lcvatloii is increased; 
whih: iit-w unu-K on the opposite m lower t il^; that were 
before invisiliiV ri'ini int.. \i.-\i :is ^hr ileweends toward 
Ihr horizon. If thu observer were placed at the earth'* 
eenier In- would pereeive no diurnal lihration. 
libratory (li'bni-to-ri), . [< Hln-oii-i + -<>ry.] 
Balancing; moving like a balance as it tends 
to become stationary; oscilliitinj;. 
Astronomers . . . ascribe to the moon a libratory mo- 
tion, or motiuu of trepidation, which they pretend is from 
east to west, and from north to south, because that, at 
full moon, they w MM et imes diseover parts of liei <li-k which 
are not discovered at other time>. 
Diet, of Trecoux. (Latham.) 
librettist (li-bret'ist), n. [< libretto + -<*<.] A 
writor of librettos; one who writes the words 
for an extended musical composition. 
Ciimb. -rt . . , built his work on the Florentine model, 
and, encouraged by success, wrote several others, on the 
strength of which he, with his librettist 1'errln, instituted 
the Academic lloyale de Muslque. Kncyc. Brit., X V1L 87. 
libretto (li-bret'o), n. [It., dim. of libra, a 
book, < L. liber, a book : see liber 1 ."] 1. A book 
containing the words of an extended musical 
composition, like an opera or an oratorio. 2. 
The words themselves of such a work; the 
text. 
libriform (li'bri-fdrm), a. [< L. liber, inner 
bark, + forma, form.] Having the form of 
liber or bast. ubrlfonn cells or fibers, those wood- 
cells which resemble liber in being extremely thick- walled. 
The wood of the beech consists of the usual elements 
vessels, tracheides, Ubr(furin fibres, and wood parenchy- 
ma. Nature, XXXIX. 611. 
librilla (ll-bril'ji), ii. [ML., a balance (steel- 
yard), a warlike engine, dim. of L. libra, a bal- 
ance : see libra.'] A fool's bauble. 
libs (libz), . PL., < Gr. A/V, the southwest 
wind, perhaps, like Mtj> (fo/3-), any liquid poured 
forth, a drop, stream, < faiftftv, pour (so called 
because it brought wet).] The west-southwest 
wind. Shenstone. 
Liburnian(li-ber'ni-an),a.and n. [< li.Liburnia, 
Gr. \ifiypvia, A.ifiovpvla, the country so called, 
Liburni, Gr. Atfivpvoi, \t3i>pviot, the inhabitants, 
an Illyrian people.] I. a. In anc. geog., per- 
taining or relating to the country called Liour- 
nia, on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea, 
southeast of Istria, answering to parts of mod- 
ern Fiuine, Croatia, and northern Dalmatia. 
Llburnlan galley, a light, fast-sailing ship with two or 
more banks of oars, originally used by Liburnlan pirates, 
and employed by the Romans at the battle of Actium and 
afterward as a war-ship. 
II. n. In anc. hist., an inhabitant of Libur- 
nia. Liburnians were much employed at Rome under 
the empire as porters and litter-bearers. 
Libyan (lib'ian), a. and . [< L. Libya, < Gr. 
\ipini, the northern part of Africa, west of Egypt ; 
cf. L. Libs, Libys, s Gr. A//3if, a Libyan.] 1. a. 
1. Of or pertaining to Libya. Libya was the ancient 
Greek name of that part of northern Africa which lies be- 
tween Egypt and the Atlantic, but especially of the coun- 
try immediately westof Egypt. The term was also used by 
the Greeks as the name of the whole continent of Africa. 
2. Belonging to or concerning a branch of the 
Hamitic family of languages found in and about 
ancient Libya. Also called Berber Libyan sub- 
region, In zoo'geog. See region. 
II. ii. A member of the primitive race in- 
habiting ancient Libya ; a Berber. 
Licania (li-ka'ni-tt), . [NL. (P. de Aublet, 
1775); said to be a modification of ealignia, 
the native name of these trees in Guiana.] A 
genus of rosaceous plants of the tribe Chry- 
sobalance, distinguished by the small anthers, 
minute stamens, and onp-celled ovary. There 
are about 35 species, trees or shrubs, natives of Guiana, 
the West Indies, and Brazil, with alternate simple leaves 
and small flowers. The wood is exceedingly hard. L. Ghxia- 
netuis is called Cayenne rose and Cayenne sassafrai, pep- 
pentmxl, and pottery-bark tree, names indicating its char- 
acter and uses. 
licca-tree (lik'ft-tre), n. A West Indian shrub 
or tree, Zanthoxylum sapindoides. Also called 
Hiinnm-rorum. 
lice, . Plural of louse 1 . 
licebane (Us' ban), . The stavesacre, Delphi- 
nium StasMsagrfa, a species of larkspur. 
licensable (li'sen-sa-bl), a. [< license + -able.'] 
Capable of being licensed; suitable to be li- 
censed ; permitted by legal grant. 
license, licence (li'sens), . [< ME. licence, < 
OF. (and F.) licence = Sp. liccncia = Pg. lici'm-it 
= It.KceH~<i,< L. //<ri7i/, license/ licen(t-)s, ppr. 
of liccre, be allowed, be allowable ; cf . linquere, 
Gr. Aeiireiv, leave: see delinquent^ relinquish. 
Hence also (from Ii. licere) K. leisure, licit, il- 
licit, licrntiiilc, etc.] 1. Authority or liberty 
to do or forbear some act ; the admission of an 
individual, by proper authority, to the right of 
doing particular acts, practising a certain pro- 
3435 
fession, or conducting a certain trade ; a grant 
of authorization; a permit. 
I will no lenger dwelle in this centre, 
Wherefore. I you bescche, ithe it is so, 
That ye will graunte me licence for to go. 
Generydes(K. K. T. S.), 1. 588. 
A license 
Which did not more embolden than encourage 
My faulting tongue. Ford, Perkin Warlwjck, I. :'. 
Very few of the Egyptians avail themselves of the li- 
cenee, which their religion allows them, of having four 
wives. K. w. Lane, Modern Egyptians, I. 102. 
Specifically (a) In the law of real property, authority to 
do an act or series of acts upon the land of the person 
granting the license, without, however, conferring on the 
licensee any estate in the land : as, a license to enter and 
shore up an adjoining building, or to take sand, or bore for 
oil : distinguished from easement. (6) In patent and copy- 
right law, permission to use the invention patented, or pub- 
lish the work copyrighted, without a grant of any proprie- 
tary rights therein, (c) In the law of municipal corporations 
AIM police power, permission from government to pursue a 
vocation or carry on acts which are prohibited to those not 
taklnga license, theobject being, by the prohibition and the 
conditions imposed on the permission, to regulate the ex- 
tent or manner of doing what is licensed, (d) In interna- 
tional law, a safe-conduct granted by a belligerent state to 
i I s own subjects, to those of iU enemy, or to neutrals, to car- 
ry on a trade which is interdicted by the laws of war, and 
operatingas adispensatlonfrom the penalties of those laws, 
withrespecttotbestategrantingit. Ualleclc. (e) KccUs. .HU 
authority to preach, but not to administer the sacraments, 
nor to represent the church as a clergyman in its ecclesi- 
astical assemblies, which powers are conferred by ordi- 
nation. The license Is granted, frequently for a limited 
period only, by an ecclesiastical body, after examination 
of the candidate as to his fitness. The person licensed is 
termed a licentiate. In the Anglican Church, a deacon 
must procure a license from a bishop to enable htm to 
preach, that power not being inherent In his office. A 
license from the bishop is also necessary to permit a man 
not in orders to act as lay reader. 
2. A document or certificate conferring such 
authority or permission. 3. Unrestrained free- 
dom of thought and action, especially the abuse 
of such freedom ; excess of liberty; undue free- 
dom ; freedom misused in contempt of law and 
decorum ; rejection of legal and moral control ; 
libertinism. 
License they mean when they cry liberty. 
Jlilton, .Sonnets, vil. 
We have already all the liberty which freeborn subjects 
can enjoy ; and all beyond it is but licence. 
Dryden, All for Love, Ded. 
No more let Ribaldry with Licence writ 
Usurp the Name of Eloquence or Wit. 
Steele, Conscious Lovers, Prol. 
4. An intentional departure from a rule or 
standard in art or literature ; exceptional liber- 
ty taken for the sake of a particular purpose or 
effect : as, poetical or musical license ; to use li- 
cense in painting or sculpture. 
Public transactions had generally been recorded In 
verse. The first historians might, therefore, Indulge with- 
out fear of censure In the license allowed to their prede- 
cessors the bards. ilacaulay, History. 
High license, a license for the sale of liquor granted only 
at what is regarded as a high rate, and intended thereby 
to reduce the number and Improve the character of the 
places so licensed. The principle of high license Is regard- 
ed aa an efficient agency for the promotion of temperance. 
Letter Of license, an agreement between an embar- 
rassed debtor and his creditors, that the latter shall for a 
time forbear to enforce their claims, and allow him mean- 
while to carry on the business without molestation. The 
usual form in the United States Is a "composition deed," 
by which the creditors commonly agree to receive part as 
payment in full, or to receive notes payable at future peri- 
ods. A letter of license containing provisions that the busi- 
ness Is to be carried on under the inspection and control of a 
committee of the creditors is called a deed of inspectorship. 
License cases, the decision by the United States Su- 
preme Court in three cases, In 1847 (5 How., 604), sustaining 
state laws requiring licenses to sell spirituous liquors, on 
the ground that the constitutional provision conferring on 
Congress the power to regulate commerce among the States 
does not restrict the power of a State to legislate on matters 
of police, public health, etc. License in amortization, 
a license to convey lands to a corporation whose holding 
of lands was otherwise forbidden by the law of mortmain, be- 
cause it Involved a perpetuity. Marriage license. See 
marriage. Registrar's license, in A'II<M<IW, a license is- 
sued by a superintendent registrar for a marriage without 
religious ceremony at the registrar's office or with religious 
ceremony in a dissenting chapel or in a church or chapel 
of the Church of England, but in the latter case only by a 
clergyman of that church and with consent of the min- 
ister. Rod license, a license-tax paid by anglers for the 
privilege of fishing for salmon. [Canada.) Special li- 
cense, specifically, In Kng. lair, a license obtained from 
the Archbishop of Canterbury, permitting specified per- 
sons to be married without publication of banns and at 
a time or place other than those prescribed by law. = Syn. 
3. Liberty, etc. (seeteat*2, n.); laxity. 
license (li'sens), r. t.-, pret. and pp. licensed, 
ppr. licensing. [< F. lieencier = Pr. Sp. licenciar 
= Pg. licencear = It. licentiare, < ML. licentiare, 
license, < 'L.licentia, license: feee license, n. Cf. 
lit-/ ntiatei,r.~] 1. To grant authority to do an act 
which, without such authority, would be illegal 
or inadmissible ; remove restrictions from by a 
grant of permission ; authorize to act in a par- 
ticular character: as, to license a man to keep 
llcentiation 
an inn ; to license a physician or a lawyer. Also 
lin nee. 
In this Year Proclamation was made, whereby the Peo- 
ple were licensed to eat whit* Heats In ! 
Halecr, Chronicles, p. 291. 
The king's right of licencing, and of assenting or with- 
holding assent to the election, was backed up by his power 
of Influencing the opinion ol tin- eh dor*. 
Stubbs, Const Hist., 1 .181. 
2. Generally, to permit to act without restraint; 
allow; tolerate; privilege: as, a licenced buf- 
foou. 
Jests like a liceiu'd fool, commands like law. 
Donne, Satires, Ir. 2S8. 
From stage to stage the licensed earl may run. 
Pope, Dunclad, Ir. 687. 
3f. To permit an action of ; grant liberty to for 
a particular proceeding. 
1 pray, Sir, licence me a question. 
CtKipinan, May-Day, I. 1. 
Licence my Innocent flames, and give me leave to love 
such charming sweetness. Steele, Lying Lover, L 1. 
-It. To dismiss. [Rare.] 
He would play well, and willingly, at some games of 
greatest attention, which shewed, that when he listed he 
could license his thoughts. Sir H. Wottvn, 
Licensed victualler. See victualler. Power to li- 
cense, conferred on a municipality, is generally under- 
stood to mean power to regulate by prescribing the con- 
ditions on compliance with which the thing shall be per. 
rnitted, bat not to imply the power absolutely to pro- 
hibit any useful business. 
licensee (H-sen-se'), n. [< license + -ee l .~] One 
to whom a license is granted. Also liccncee. 
licenser (li'sen-ser), n. 1. One who licenses 
or grants permission; a person authorized to 
grant permission to others: as, a licenser of the 
press. Also licencer. In legal use of ten licensor. 
2f. Same as censor, 2. 
license-tax (li'sens-taks), n. In the statutes of 
Wisconsin, an annual license-fee imposed on 
certain corporations, computed by a percentage 
of gross receipts, and taken in lieu of ordinary 
taxation. 
The license-tax, as It Is called there (In Wisconsin], ap- 
plies to railroads, insurance, telegraph, and telephone com- 
panies. Pop. Set. Mo., XXVIII. 464. 
licensureOi'sen-sur), . [< license + -wre.] The 
granting of a license; the act of licensing, as of 
an unprdained preacher in a church of the Pres- 
byterian order. See licentiate^, n., 1 (6). 
licentiate' t (li-sen'shi-at), t>. t. [ME. licenciat, 
pp.; < ML. licentiatns, pp. of lieentiare, license: 
see license, t>.] To give license or permission 
to ; encourage by license. 
All thingis be takin treuly as thai attest, 
nyliscrnciat and lovit with al kills. 
Boaice of Precedence (E. E. T. S., extra ser.X 1. 101. 
We may not hazard either the stifling of generous incli- 
nations or the licentiatinff of anything that is coarse. 
.s'ir R. L'Estrange. 
licentiate 1 (li-sen'shi-at), n. [< ME. licendat 
= F. licencii = Pg. lieenceado = Sp. licenciado 
= It. licenziato, < ML. licentiatus, pp. otlicenti- 
are, license : see licentiate, p.] 1. One who lias 
license to practice an art or a profession. 
The College of Physicians, in July, 1687. published an 
edict requiring all fellows, candidates, and licentiates to 
give gratuitous advice to the neighbouring poor. 
Johnson, Garth. 
The licentiate Don Felix del Key, a practising advocate 
before the royal courts of St. Domingo and Mexico. 
Oayarre, Hist. Louisiana, II. 334. 
Specifically (a) A friar licensed by the Pope to hear con- 
fession, grant absolution, and inflict penance in any place 
Independently of the local clergy. 
He hadde power of confesslonn. 
As seyde himself, more than a curat, 
For of his ordre he was licentiat. 
Chaucer, Gen. ProL to C. T., I. 2. 
(ft) In non-episcopal churches, as the Presbyterian, a per- 
son licensed to preach and perform the ordinary services of 
public worship, prior to being ordained as a pastor. 
2t. One who behaves in a licentious manner ; 
one who transcends the bounds of due restraint 
and decorum. [Rare.] 
What is this but to baffle and affront that sacred power, 
which Is entrusted to government, and to profess our- 
selves not libertines, but licentiates of disorder? 
Bp. Hall, sermon, Christian Liberty. 
licentiate 2 (li-sen'shi-at), n. [< ML. licentititus, 
the condition of having a license, LL. freedom, 
license, < L. licentia. license: see license, n., 
and -flteS.] The condition of having a license ; 
specifically, in continental Europe, an academ- 
ical dignity which intervenes between the bac- 
calaureate and the doctorate, and is a step to- 
ward the doctor's degree. 
licentiateship (li-sen'shi-at-ship), N. [< licen- 
tiate 1 , n., + -ship.} The condition or office of a 
licentiate. 
licentiation (H-sen-shi-a'shon), n. [< ML. *K- 
ci'iifiutio(n-), < licentiare, license: see license, F.] 
