Definition of legitimate

The origins of the word "legitimate" can be traced back to the late 14th century. In Latin, the word "legitimus" literally translates to "born according to law." The term was used to describe children who were born within the bounds of wedlock, as opposed to those born out of wedlock. In medieval times, as the church and the state became more closely aligned, the definition of legitimacy became more tied to religious and political institutions. Legitimate children were seen as having a higher social status than those born outside of wedlock, as they were presumed to have a legitimate claim to their parents' property and inheritance. The word "legitimate" also came to have a broader legal connotation, representing something that is legally valid or authentic. This sense of the term continues to be used today, as in "a legitimate business" or "a legitimate reason." Overall, the origins of "legitimate" highlight the historical intersections between law, religion, and social status, and illustrate how cultural attitudes towards legitimacy and family structure have evolved over time.