legal

The definition of legal is something connected to law or a government’s system of rules.

(adjective)

An example of legal is the type of action that will be decided by a court.

See legal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

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

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

noun

legal list

Related Forms:

See legal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of, relating to, or concerned with law: legal papers.
a. Authorized by or based on law: a legal right.
b. Established by law; statutory: the legal owner.
In conformity with or permitted by law: legal business operations.
Recognized or enforced by law rather than by equity.
In terms of or created by the law: a legal offense.
Applicable to or characteristic of attorneys or their profession.

noun

One that is in accord with certain rules or laws.
legals Investments that may be legally made by fiduciaries and certain institutions, such as savings banks and insurance companies. Also called legal list.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin lēgālis

Origin: , from lēx, lēg-, law; see leg- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: