Legitimating: meaning, definitions and examples

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legitimating

 

[ lɪˈdʒɪtɪmeɪtɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal context

Legitimating refers to the process of making something lawful or valid. This can apply to various scenarios, including the recognition of a child's status as legitimate in relation to their parents, or the acceptance of an organization or document as compliant with applicable laws. In many jurisdictions, legitimating can involve legal actions or applications to a court. Ultimately, it establishes the official acknowledgment of rights and statuses that may have been contested.

Synonyms

approving, authenticating, sanctioning, validating

Examples of usage

  • The court is tasked with legitimating the child's paternity.
  • Legitimating the organization allowed it to operate without legal issues.
  • He sought to legitimize his actions through a formal apology.

Translations

Translations of the word "legitimating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 legitimando

🇮🇳 वैधता देना

🇩🇪 legitimieren

🇮🇩 melegitimasi

🇺🇦 легітимізуючи

🇵🇱 legitymizowanie

🇯🇵 正当化する

🇫🇷 légitimer

🇪🇸 legitimar

🇹🇷 meşrulaştırma

🇰🇷 정당화하다

🇸🇦 شرعنة

🇨🇿 legitimizace

🇸🇰 legitimizácia

🇨🇳 合法化

🇸🇮 legitimizacija

🇮🇸 lögmætning

🇰🇿 заңдастыру

🇬🇪 ლეგიტიმაცია

🇦🇿 legi̇timalaşdırma

🇲🇽 legitimación

Word origin

The term 'legitimate' derives from the Latin word 'legitimus,' which means lawful or authorized. The evolution of the word in English began in the late 14th century, initially referring to something that is lawful or rightful by birth, particularly in relation to children's rights concerning legitimacy. Over time, the meaning broadened to encompass any legal or rightful authority, including the endorsement of processes, actions, or entities. The modern use of 'legitimating' emphasizes its application within legal frameworks, indicating the need for official recognition or validation in various contexts, including social, organizational, and familial domains.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,554, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.