carte blanche

• POS: Noun Phrase

CIDE DICTIONARY

carte blanche,  [F., fr. OF. carte paper + -blanc, blanche, white. See 1st Card.].

 A blank paper, with a person's signature, etc., at the bottom, given to another person, with permission to superscribe what conditions he pleases. Hence: Unconditional terms; unlimited authority.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

carte blanche, n. full discretionary power given to a person.

Etymology

F, = blank paper

THESAURUS

carte blanche

ample scope, authority, blank check, clearance, copyright, discretion, dispensation, elbowroom, favor, field, franchise, free course, free hand, free play, free scope, freedom, full authority, full power, full scope, full swing, grant, immunity, indulgence, latitude, leeway, liberty, license, long rope, maneuvering space, margin, no holds barred, open mandate, open space, patent, permission, play, power, power of attorney, prerogative, privilege, range, right, room, rope, sanction, say, say-so, scope, sea room, space, special favor, swing, tolerance, warrant, way, wide berth

ROGET THESAURUS

carte blanche

Permission

N permission, leave, allowance, sufferance, tolerance, toleration, liberty, law, license, concession, grace, indulgence, favor, dispensation, exemption, release, connivance, vouchsafement, authorization, warranty, accordance, admission, permit, warrant, brevet, precept, sanction, authority, firman, hukm, pass, passport, furlough, license, carte blanche, ticket of leave, grant, charter, patent, letters patent, permitting, permissive, indulgent, permitted, patent, chartered, permissible, allowable, lawful, legitimate, legal, legalized, licit, unforbid, unforbidden, unconditional, by leave, with leave, on leave, speciali gratia, under favor of, pace, ad libitum, by all means, yes, avec permissin, brevet d'invention.