Legal Definitions - illegitimate

Illegitimate is an adjective that can be used to describe different things:

1. When referring to a child, it means that the child was born out of wedlock and has not been legitimized. For example, an illegitimate son is a child born to unmarried parents.
2. It can also mean something that is against the law or unlawful. For instance, an illegitimate contract for the sale of contraband is a contract that is not legally binding.
3. Illegitimate can also describe something that is improper or not acceptable. For example, illegitimate conduct refers to behavior that is not appropriate or ethical.
4. Finally, it can mean something that is incorrectly inferred or deduced. For instance, an illegitimate conclusion is a conclusion that is not based on valid reasoning.

It is important to note that the term "illegitimate" is considered outdated and offensive when used to describe a person. It is better to use terms like "born out of wedlock" or "non-marital child."

• An illegitimate child is a child born to unmarried parents.
• An illegitimate contract for the sale of drugs is not legally binding.
• Illegitimate conduct, such as cheating on a test, is not acceptable.
• An illegitimate conclusion, based on faulty reasoning, can lead to incorrect beliefs.

These examples illustrate the different ways in which the term "illegitimate" can be used. In each case, it refers to something that is not considered valid or acceptable. For example, an illegitimate child is not recognized as legitimate under the law, while an illegitimate contract is not legally binding. Illegitimate conduct and conclusions are also not acceptable because they are not based on valid reasoning or ethical behavior.