from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Licentiate \Li*cen"ti*ate\ (l[-i]*s[e^]n"sh[i^]*[asl]t or
-sh[asl]t; 106), n. [LL. licentiatus, fr. licentiare to allow
to do anything, fr. L. licentia license. See {License}, n.]
1. One who has a license to exercise a profession; as, a
licentiate in medicine or theology.
[1913 Webster]
The college of physicians, in July, 1687, published
an edict, requiring all the fellows, candidates, and
licentiates, to give gratuitous advice to the
neighboring poor. --Johnson.
[1913 Webster]
2. A friar authorized to receive confessions and grant
absolution in all places, independently of the local
clergy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
3. One who acts without restraint, or takes a liberty, as if
having a license therefor. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
[1913 Webster]
4. On the continent of Europe, a university degree
intermediate between that of bachelor and that of doctor.
[1913 Webster]