illegitimacy

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

noun

, plural il·le·git·i·ma·cies.

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

To overcompensate for illegitimacy, authoritarian states often lean on a demonized enemy to rally against.

From Time

Pheu Thai and smaller parties could still pass laws, but those could be subject to charges of “illegitimacy” later.

From The Daily Beast

They play to chords of resentment and cast a veneer of illegitimacy over actions and lives lived honorably.

From The Daily Beast

But to deduce from this a fragility, if not illegitimacy, in the NTC makes no sense.

From The Daily Beast

So, Holbrooke went to Kabul and blasted Karzai for the corruption, inefficiency, and illegitimacy of his government.

From The Daily Beast

Violet Walbridge was a failure at illegitimacy and lawless passion, and, what was worse, she knew it.

From Project Gutenberg

The spectres of illegitimacy and civil ruin are what would stare them in the face, and turn their very lips so white.

From Project Gutenberg

But the story of his illegitimacy and foreign birth was current long before this date was established.

From Project Gutenberg

The best aspects both of legitimacy and of illegitimacy were to be stereoscoped in the perfect birth.

From Project Gutenberg

The subject is difficult and unpleasant: illegitimacy is wicked and, therefore, must not be talked about.

From Project Gutenberg