1. Prototype the original or modelon whichsomething is based or formed. modelwhichmodelwhich 2. someone or something that serves to illustrate the typical qualities of a class; model; exemplar: She is the prototype of a student activist. 3. something analogous to another thing of a later period: a Renaissance prototype of our modern public housing. 4. Biology. an archetype; a primitive form regarded as the basis of a group.

2. Invention the act of inventing. the act of inventing.inventing 2. U.S. Patent Law. a new, useful process, machine, improvement, etc., that did not exist previously and that is recognized as the product of some unique intuition or genius, as distinguished from ordinary mechanical skill or craftsmanship. 2. U.S. Patent Law. a new, useful process, machine, improvement, etc., that did not exist previously and that is recognized as the product of some unique intuition or genius, as distinguished from ordinary mechanical skill or craftsmanship.genius 3. anything inventedor devised. 3. anything inventedor devised.invented 4. the power or faculty of inventing, devising, or originating. 4. the power or faculty of inventing, devising, or originating.inventing 5. an act or instance of creating or producing by exercise of the imagination, especially in art, music, etc. 5. an act or instance of creating or producing by exercise of the imagination, especially in art, music, etc.art

3. patent the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years. the exclusive right granted by a government to an inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a certain number of years. 2. an invention or process protected by this right. 2. an invention or process protected by this right. 3. an official document conferring such a right; letters patent. 3. an official document conferring such a right; letters patent. letters patent letters patent 4. the instrument by whichthe government of the United States conveys the legal fee-simple title to public land. 4. the instrument by whichthe government of the United States conveys the legal fee-simple title to public land.which 5. patent leather 5. patent leatherpatent leatherpatent leather

4. credit commendation or honor given for some action, quality, etc.: Give credit where it is due. commendation or honor given for some action, quality, etc.: Give credit where it is due. 2. a source of pride or honor: You are a credit to your school. 2. a source of pride or honor: You are a credit to your school. 3. the ascription or acknowledgment of something as due or properly attributable to a person, institution, etc.: She got a screen credit for photography. 3. the ascription or acknowledgment of something as due or properly attributable to a person, institution, etc.: She got a screen credit for photography. 4. trustworthiness; credibility: a witness of credit. 4. trustworthiness; credibility: a witness of credit. 5. confidence in a purchaser's ability and intention to pay, displayed by entrusting the buyer with goods or services without immediate payment. 5. confidence in a purchaser's ability and intention to pay, displayed by entrusting the buyer with goods or services without immediate payment.

5. Operating cost the expense of maintaining property (e.g., paying property taxes and utilities and insurance); it does not include depreciation or the cost of financing or income taxes [syn: operating expense] the expense of maintaining property (e.g., paying property taxes and utilities and insurance); it does not include depreciation or the cost of financing or income taxes [syn: operating expense] operating expense operating expense

6. Fixed cost a cost unvarying with a change in the volume of business (distinguished from variable cost). a cost unvarying with a change in the volume of business (distinguished from variable cost).variable costvariable cost

7. taxes to demand a tax from (a person, business, etc.). to demand a tax from (a person, business, etc.). b. to demand a tax in consideration of the possession or occurrence of (income, goods, sales, etc.), usually in proportion to the value of money involved. b. to demand a tax in consideration of the possession or occurrence of (income, goods, sales, etc.), usually in proportion to the value of money involved. 4. to lay a burden on; make serious demands on: to tax one's resources. 4. to lay a burden on; make serious demands on: to tax one's resources. 5. to take to task; censure; reprove; accuse: to tax one with laziness. 5. to take to task; censure; reprove; accuse: to tax one with laziness. 6. Informal. to charge: What did he tax you for that? 6. Informal. to charge: What did he tax you for that? 7. Archaic. to estimate or determine the amount or value of. 7. Archaic. to estimate or determine the amount or value of.