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illegitimate

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The definition of illegitimate is a person who was born to unmarried parents, or something that is incorrectly decided, or is not in accordance with the rules or laws.

(adjective)

A baby who is born to a single mother who is not married is an example of a baby that would be described as illegitimate.
A decision made by one member of a group without asking the group's opinion is an example of an illegitimate decision.
A unilateral decision by a club member to change the club rules without following proper processes is an example of an illegitimate act.

See illegitimate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

born of parents not married to each other; bastard
incorrectly deduced: not logical: an illegitimate conclusion
contrary to law or rules; illegal; unlawful
not in keeping with accepted usage: said of words or phrases

Origin: < ML illegitimatus, pp. of illegitimare, to make illegitimate < L illegitimus, not lawful: see in- & legitimate

Related Forms:

illegitimately adverb

See illegitimate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Against the law; illegal.
Born out of wedlock.
Grammar Not in correct usage.
Incorrectly deduced; illogical.
Biology Unacceptable as a scientific name because of contradiction to the international rules of nomenclature.

Related Forms: