patentable, a.
(ˈpeɪtəntəb(ə)l, ˈpæt-)
[f. patent v. + -able.]
That may be patented, capable of being patented.
| 1817 Niles' Reg. XII. 283/2 The improvement relied on by Witness was not useful, and consequently not a patentable improvement under the patent law. 1852 Fraser's Mag. XLVI. 499 The sense in which patentable inventions can be adopted. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV. 90/2 The kinds of inventions that are patentable. 1977 New Scientist 7 Apr. 24/2 Although computer programs are not as such patentable, computer hardware can be protected. |