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legal definition

le·gal (gəl)

adjective

  1. of, created by, based upon, or authorized by law
  2. in conformity with the positive rules of law; permitted by law a legal act
  3. that can be enforced in a court of law legal rights
  4. of or applicable to lawyers legal ethics
  5. in terms of the law a legal offense
  6. Theol.
    1. of the Mosaic law
    2. of the doctrine of salvation by good works rather than free grace

Etymology: MFr légal < L legalis < lex (gen. legis), law, prob. < IE base *le-, to collect > L legere, Gr legein, to collect

noun

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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LAWFUL or LEGAL75 years ago

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