illegitimate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the illegitimate offspring of unmarried parents
  2. adjective contrary to or forbidden by law
  3. adjective of marriages and offspring; not recognized as lawful

Etymology

First attested in 1536, from Latin illēgitimus, most likely an adapted borrowing of Middle French illegitime, equivalent to il- + legitimate, see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3).

In classic literature

Synonyms

bastard, by-blow, love child, illegitimate child, whoreson

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