illegitimacy

UK/,ɪlɪ'dʒɪtɪməsɪ/US/.ili'dʒitimәsi/

Definitions

The state of being unlawful or not allowed by rules

不合法（性）；非法

The condition of being born to parents not married to each other

私生；非婚生身份

Root Breakdown

Root-derived

il-not, opposite of

legchoose, pick, read, gather

-itimconnector

-acystate, quality

=illegitimacy

il- (not) + legitimate + -acy. Here leg is the 'law' branch (Latin lex/legis), not legere 'read' — though both trace to the same ancient idea of 'gathering/laying down a rule.' Illegitimacy is the noun for 'not conforming to law,' including the older sense of birth outside lawful marriage.

Root lect still carries 128 more words

Example Sentences

1.
Critics questioned the illegitimacy of the new regime.

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