illegal

English

/ɪˈliːɡəl/, /ɪˈli.ɡəl/

adj
Definitions
  • Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.
  • Forbidden by established rules.
  • (philately) Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
  • (of a person) Being or doing something illegally.
  • (chiefly) Being an illegal immigrant; residing in a country illegally.

Etymology

Borrowed from French illégal derived from Latin illegalis, legalis.

Origin

Latin

legalis

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms