What does "licentiate" mean?

Licentiate: A friar authorized to receive confessions and grant absolution in all places, independently of the local clergy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Additional senses

  1. 2.One who acts without restraint, or takes a liberty, as if having a license therefor. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
  2. 3.On the continent of Europe, a university degree intermediate between that of bachelor and that of doctor.
  3. 4.To give a license to. [Obs.] L'Estrange.

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