legal

legal [lē′gəl]

adj.

[MFr légal < L legalis < lex (gen. legis), law, prob. < IE base * leg̑-, to collect > L legere, Gr legein, to collect]

1. of, created by, based upon, or authorized by law

2. in conformity with the positive rules of law; permitted by law [a legal act]

3. that can be enforced in a court of law [legal rights]

4. of or applicable to lawyers [legal ethics]

5. in terms of the law [a legal offense]

6. Theol.

a) of the Mosaic law

b) of the doctrine of salvation by good works rather than free grace

n.

[pl.] LEGAL LIST

legally

adv.

SYN.- LEGAL implies literal connection or conformity with statute or common law or its administration [legal rights ]; LAWFUL, a more general word, may suggest conformity to the principle rather than to the letter of the law or may broadly refer to that which is not contrary to the law [a lawful but shady enterprise ]; LEGITIMATE implies legality of a claim to a title or right [a legitimate heir ] or accordance with what is sanctioned or accepted as lawful, reasonable, etc. [a legitimate argument ]; LICIT implies strict conformity to the law, especially in trade, commerce, or personal relations [licit marriage ] -ANT. ILLEGAL, UNLAWFUL, ILLICIT