Illégitime

Illégitime is a French adjective meaning not legitimate: not authorized by law, rules, or accepted norms. It can describe persons, actions, or institutions whose status or authority is disputed, or claims considered unjustified. The nuance can imply illegality or moral unacceptability, but more often concerns rightful authority rather than criminal conduct. In political and legal discourse, it is used to question the legitimacy of power, claims, or institutions, for example a government deemed illégitime or a decision perceived as illégitime.

Etymology and form: illégitime derives from Latin illegitimus, meaning not belonging to legitimate lineage, via Old French illégitime. The prefix il- results from assimilation before l. The adjective is used in the singular for both masculine and feminine, and forms the plural illégitimes.

Usage notes: in the family domain, illégitime historically described a child born outside marriage; contemporary, neutral language often prefers enfant né hors mariage. In modern discourse, illégitime commonly targets authority or claims rather than criminality; it is distinct from illégal, which denotes illegality and breach of law. The noun illégitimité denotes illegitimacy as a concept, while légitimité refers to rightful authority or legitimacy.

See also: légitime, légitimité, and illégalité for related concepts of legality and rightful authority. The term carries evaluative weight and can be perceived as pejorative depending on context, so its use is sensitive to historical and social nuances.