illegitimate
UK: /ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/ | US: /ˌɪləˈdʒɪtəmət/
adj. not authorized by law; invalid or illegal
adj. born to parents not married to each other
adj. not in accordance with accepted standards or rules
illegitimate = il<not> + legitim<lawful> + ate<adjective suffix>
- il<not>: Prefix from Latin "in-" (negation), altered to "il-" before "l."
- legitim<lawful>: Root from Latin "legitimus" (lawful), derived from "lex" (law).
- ate<adjective suffix>: Suffix forming adjectives, often indicating a state or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word "illegitimate" traces back to Latin roots, combining negation ("il-") with "legitimus" (lawful). Originally used in legal contexts to describe children born outside marriage, it later broadened to mean anything violating legal or social norms. The prefix "il-" emphasizes exclusion from legitimacy, while "legitim" anchors the concept in lawfulness.
The court ruled the contract illegitimate due to forged signatures.
In some historical societies, illegitimate children faced social stigma.
His claim to the throne was deemed illegitimate by the council.
The scientist criticized the study for its illegitimate methodology.
Protesters argued the election results were illegitimate.