The word "unlicensed" is spelled with the prefix "un-" which means "not" or "lacking". The root word "licensed" is pronounced as /ˈlaɪsənst/, with the stress on the second syllable. The suffix "-ed" is added to form the past participle of the verb, which means "having permission or authority to do something". Therefore, "unlicensed" /ʌnˈlaɪsənst/ means "not having permission or authority to do something, particularly related to legal or professional standards".
The term "unlicensed" is an adjective that describes something or someone that does not possess the necessary authorization, permit, or official certification required by the relevant governing body or authority. It denotes a lack of official approval or legal sanction.
When applied to an individual, "unlicensed" typically refers to someone who does not hold a valid license or professional qualification necessary to carry out a specific activity or profession. For instance, in various fields like medicine, law, education, or engineering, practitioners usually need to obtain licenses or certifications to ensure their competence and adherence to regulatory standards. An unlicensed person in any of these fields may not have fulfilled the educational, training, or examination requirements needed to legally practice their profession.
Likewise, "unlicensed" can also describe a product, service, or establishment that operates without the proper licenses or permits. This could include, for example, businesses running without the necessary permits from local authorities or manufacturers producing goods without the required certification from relevant regulatory bodies.
In summary, the term "unlicensed" conveys the absence of official authorization, whether for an individual's professional practice or the operation of a product or service. It serves as a warning or indicator that such a person, product, or establishment lacks the necessary legal credentials or regulatory compliance to carry out a specific activity or profession.
Not having permission by authority.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word unlicensed is formed by adding the prefix un- which is derived from Old English and means not or lack of, and the word licensed which is derived from the Old French licence or licenser, meaning to permit or to grant a license. The term licensed is ultimately derived from the Latin word licentia, meaning freedom or permission. So, unlicensed simply means not having permission or not possessing a license.