legitimacy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the quality of being lawful, valid, or justified

   The court ruling confirmed the legitimacy of the regulatory process.

2. 2
   noun

   recognized acceptance of a person, government, or institution's right to exercise authority

   Transparent elections strengthened the new government's legitimacy.

3. 3
   noun

   lawful birth or descent, especially as it historically affected inheritance or succession

   The prince's legitimacy became central to the dispute over the throne.

Formed from legitimate and the state-forming suffix -cy. Legitimate comes from Medieval Latin legitimatus and Latin legitimus, 'lawful,' based on lex, 'law.' Political legitimacy extends legal validity to the accepted right to govern.

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