| 释义 |
prior-art search prior-art search[′prī·ər ‚ärt ‚sərch] (engineering) A search for prior art which may possibly anticipate an invention which is being considered for patentability. A similar search but for the purpose of determining what the status of existing technology is before going ahead with new research; it is done to avoid unwittingly retracing new steps taken by other workers in the field. |