illegitimacy

[ il-i-jit-uh-muh-see ]

noun

plural illegitimacies.

1. the state or quality of being illegitimate.

illegitimacy

1. The condition of being born to unmarried parents. It was once considered a mark of disgrace but is generally more accepted now.

Word History and Origins

Origin of illegitimacy¹

First recorded in 1670–80; illegitim(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

It would be a great result for Putin, who has sought to replace Zelensky since the start of the war and will not even talk directly to him "because of his illegitimacy".

From BBC

The dwindling stigmas on illegitimacy and on unmarried sexual partners, legal contraception, more laws supporting women’s access to the workplace — things that some conservatives want to reverse — “made at-fault divorce look more and more off-putting.”

From Los Angeles Times

The election, Mr. Siziba said, had created “a crisis of illegitimacy where the state is turning against its own citizens.”

From New York Times

If you give people something you hurt them, because it weakens their dignity, it creates illegitimacy as they used to call it, it will make poor people poorer.

From Salon

As I was reading the book, I remembered the illegitimacy I felt as a child when I realized my parents were unwed.

From Los Angeles Times

Quiz

Q: Fill in the blank: "Salchipapas" is a portmanteau of the Spanish words for ______ and ______.

• salt and potatoes
• sausage and French fries
• sardines and French fries

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