lə̇ˌjid.əˈmāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English legitimacioun, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French legitimation, from Medieval Latin legitimation-, legitimatio, from legitimatus (past participle of legitimare to legitimate) + Latin -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act or process of making legitimate
English domestic law allowed legitimation by subsequent marriage — J.H.C.Morris
the legitimation of money
2. obsolete : legitimacy a