adj. & v.
--adj.
1. a (of a child) born of parents lawfully married to each other. b (of a parent, birth, descent, etc.) with, of, through, etc., a legitimate child.
2 lawful, proper, regular, conforming to the standard type.
3 logically admissible.
4 a (of a sovereign's title) based on strict hereditary right. b (of a sovereign) having a legitimate title.
5 constituting or relating to serious drama as distinct from musical comedy, revue, etc.
--v.tr.
1. make legitimate by decree, enactment, or proof.
2 justify, serve as a justification for.
Derivatives:
legitimacy n. legitimately adv. legitimation n.
Etymology: med.L legitimare f. L legitimus lawful f. lex legis law