Webster's English Dictionary

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legitimate

Cross references:
  1. lawful                
 
1. le.git.i.mate \li-'jit-*-m*t\ aj [ML legitimatus, pp. of legitimare to 
   legitimate, fr. L legitimu]s legitimate, fr. leg-, lex law 1a: lawfully 
   begotten; specif : born in wedlock  1b: having full filial rights and 
   obligations by birth {a ~ child)> 2: GENUINE {~ grievance}  3a1: accordant 
   with law or with established legal forms and requirements <(a ~ government} 
   3a2: LAW-ABIDING  3b: ruling by or based upon the strict principle of 
   hereditary right {a  ~ king} 4: conforming to recognized principles or 
   accepted rules and standards { ~ advertising expenditure ~ inference} 5: 
   relating to plays acted by professional actors but not including revues , 
   burlesque, or some forms of musical comedy {~ theater} - le.git.i.mate.ly 
   av
2. le.git.i.mate \-.ma-t\ \li-.jit-*-'ma--sh*n\ vt : to make lawful or 
   legal :  : to give legal status or authorization to  : to show or affirm to 
   be justified  : to put (a bastard) in the state of a legitimate child 
   before the law b y legal means - le.git.i.ma.tion n