ˈlēgəˌlīz sometimes ˈlig- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: see -ize
Etymology: legal (I) + -ize
1.
a. : to make legal : give legal validity or sanction to
legalize an act which without those instructions would have been a plain trespass — John Marshall
the state was one of the first to legalize prizefighting — American Guide Series: Louisiana
the … act legalizes hardships which it was never the intention of Parliament to create — Fortnightly Review
b. : to authenticate a document or a signature thereon so that it may be admissible in evidence
these documents should be notarized … and then legalized at the nearest consulate — Manuel Perez
2. : to interpret or apply in a legalistic spirit
you persist to legalize the gospel — J.W.Fletcher