Definition of: legitimate

(lə·jit′ə·mit) adjective
1. Having the sanction of law or custom; authorized; lawful; also, genuine.
2. Born in wedlock.
3. Based strictly on hereditary rights or sovereignty.
4. Following in regular or natural sequence; logically deduced. See synonyms under AUTHENTIC.
—v.t. (lə·jit′ə·māt) ·mat·ed, ·mat·ing
1. To make legitimate.
2. To justify. [<Med. L legitimatus, pp. of legitimare declare to be lawful <L legitimus lawful <lex, legis a law]
—le·git′i·ma·cy, le·git′i·mate·ness noun
—le·git′·i·mate·ly adverb
—le·git′i·ma′tion noun