Word: Illegitimacy
Part of Speech: Noun
Basic Definition: Illegitimacy refers to the condition of being born to parents who are not married. It can also mean something that is not authorized by law or is considered unlawful.
Usage Instructions:
When to use: You can use "illegitimacy" when discussing social issues related to family, marriage, and legal status.
Context: It is often used in formal discussions, legal contexts, or when talking about historical or societal views on family structures.
Example Sentence:
Advanced Usage:
In legal contexts, "illegitimacy" can refer to situations where a law or action is considered invalid or not recognized by legal authorities. For example, "The court declared the contract's illegitimacy due to the lack of a witness."
Word Variants:
Illegitimate (adjective): Refers to something that is not legitimate or lawful. For example, "The illegitimate child was often treated differently in society."
Illegitimately (adverb): Describes an action done in a way that is not recognized as lawful. For example, "He was accused of illegally and illegitimately accessing private information."
Different Meanings:
Social Meaning: Refers specifically to children born to parents who are not married.
Legal Meaning: Refers to actions or statuses that are not authorized by law.
Synonyms:
For social meaning:
"Born out of wedlock"
"Natural child"
For legal meaning:
"Unlawfulness"
"Invalidity"
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Summary:
"Illegitimacy" is an important word that deals with issues of family structure and legal recognition.