Legítims

Legítims is a term that appears occasionally in English-language writing and in fiction to refer to people who hold a legitimate claim to something within a given system of norms or law. The word is formed from the adjective legitimate, with a plural -s, and may be written with an accented i in some contexts to reflect its Romance-language roots.

Etymology and usage notes: Legítims is not a standard or widely recognized term in formal law or theory. It is more often encountered as a rhetorical or fictional label used to distinguish those whose status or rights are considered rightful by a community, a legal framework, or a governing authority. In academic discussions, writers typically use terms such as legitimate authority, legitimate claim, or legitimate heirs instead of legí­tims, but the plural form can appear in world-building or comparative discussions.

Applications in law, politics, and anthropology: In inheritance law, legitimate heirs are those recognized by statute or tradition as rightful successors; however, the conventional term is legitimate heirs rather than legítims. In political theory and anthropology, legítims may be used to describe individuals or groups whose authority or status is recognized as rightful by the society, as opposed to illegitimate claimants. The term emphasizes perceived legitimacy rather than merely formal legality.

Limitations and considerations: Because legítims is not a standard term, its meaning is highly context-dependent. When encountered, it is prudent to check how the author defines legitimacy, which rights or statuses are being claimed, and what criteria establish recognition within that context.

See also: legitimacy, legitimate authority, legitimacy in law, inheritance rights, political legitimacy.