le ‧ git ‧ i ‧ mize BrE AmE ( also legitimise British English ) /lɪˈdʒɪtəmaɪz, lɪˈdʒɪtɪmaɪz/ verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: legitimus ; ⇨ ↑ legitimate ]
1 . to make something that is unfair or morally wrong seem acceptable and right:
There is a danger that these films legitimize violence.
2 . to make something official or legal:
Acceptance by the UN would effectively legitimize the regime.
3 . when parents legitimize a child, they get married so that the child becomes ↑ legitimate 1 (3)