legitimist

[ li-jit-uh-mist ]

noun

1. a supporter of legitimate authority, especially of a claim to a throne based on direct descent.

adjective

1. Also le·git·i·mis·tic []. of, relating to, or supporting legitimate authority.

legitimist

/ lɪˈdʒɪtɪmɪst /

noun

1. a monarchist who supports the rule of a legitimate dynasty or of its senior branch
2. (formerly) a supporter of the elder line of the Bourbon family in France
3. a supporter of legitimate authority

adjective

1. of or relating to legitimists

Derived Forms

• leˈgitimism, noun

Other Words From

• le·git·i·mism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legitimist¹

1835–45; < Latin lēgitim ( us ) lawful ( legitim ) + -ist, modeled on French légitimiste

Example Sentences

Joseph de Maistre was "a fierce absolutist, a furious theocrat, an intransigent legitimist ... always and everywhere the champion of the hardest, narrowest and most inflexible dogmatism."

From Salon

“When there’s a war, there’s a reflex to be legitimist,” Pécresse said.

From Seattle Times

"Our principles are not yours," scornfully exclaims a Legitimist nobleman—the late Marquis de la Rochejaquelein, if I remember rightly.

From Project Gutenberg

One who adheres to the house of Bourbon; a legitimist.

From Project Gutenberg

I have not met a Frenchman of any position, or any political views, Republican or Monarchical, Bonapartist or Legitimist, Catholic or Protestant, whose blood did not boil at the mention of Alsace and Lorraine, and who did not look forward to a fresh conflict with Germany as inevitable.

From Project Gutenberg