How to pronounce the adjectival form of "patent" in American English?

Question

I understand that for the noun "patent", the word is pronounced as ˈpæt(ə)nt in British English and ˈpeɪt(ə)nt in American English.

However, a friend blew my mind yesterday and claimed that it could be pronounced as ˈpæt(ə)nt in American English if it was the adjective form.

I've looked on here and it seems like definitions 4, 5 and 6 of Entry 1 is indeed pronounced as ˈpæt(ə)nt but it does not mention if that is in American or British English.

JeremyC · Answer

If you are speaking of leather shoes, or of something that is obvious, then the first syllable in BrE rhymes with 'pay', as in wages.

But, if you are speaking of an official document that confers certain rights, such as the exclusive right to exploit some invention, or that formally appoints someone to an official position, then in educated BrE the first syllable of 'patent' rhymes with 'patt'.

The UK government office that licenses inventors' rights is the 'Patent Office' - rhyming with 'patt'.

How to pronounce the adjectival form of "patent" in American English?

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