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Illegitimacy: meaning, definitions and examples

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illegitimacy

 

[ ɪlɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social status

Illegitimacy refers to the state of being born to parents who are not legally married to each other. This term often carries social stigma and can affect one's rights and societal acceptance. Historically, illegitimacy has been linked to issues of inheritance and social standing.

Synonyms

bastardy, illicitness, nonmarital status.

Examples of usage

  • The child faced challenges due to his illegitimacy.
  • In some cultures, illegitimacy affected familial relationships.
  • The law has changed regarding the rights of children born of illegitimacy.

Translations

Translations of the word "illegitimacy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ilegitimidade

🇮🇳 अवैधता

🇩🇪 Illegitimität

🇮🇩 ilegitimitas

🇺🇦 незаконність

🇵🇱 nielegalność

🇯🇵 非合法性

🇫🇷 illégitimité

🇪🇸 ilegitimidad

🇹🇷 gayri meşruluk

🇰🇷 불법성

🇸🇦 غير الشرعية

🇨🇿 nelegitimita

🇸🇰 nelegitimita

🇨🇳 非法性

🇸🇮 ilegitimiteta

🇮🇸 ólegitimacy

🇰🇿 заңсыздық

🇬🇪 არალეგიტიმურობა

🇦🇿 qanunsuzluq

🇲🇽 ilegitimidad

Etymology

The word 'illegitimacy' originates from the Latin word 'illegitimus', which means 'not lawful' or 'illegal'. The prefix 'il-' indicates negation, while 'legitimus' derives from 'lex', meaning 'law'. The term has been used since the 14th century to describe children born out of wedlock. Over the centuries, societal perceptions of illegitimacy have evolved. In earlier times, illegitimate children often faced severe discrimination and limited rights, particularly in matters of inheritance and social status. As legal frameworks changed, particularly with advancements in women's rights and shifts in parental authority, the stigma associated with illegitimacy decreased in many parts of the world. Nonetheless, it still carries some societal connotations in contemporary contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,809, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.