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