adulterine

Adulterine is a term of historical and legal significance, primarily referring to a child born during a marriage but conceived before it, or whose paternity is in doubt due to the mother's infidelity. In historical legal contexts, the legitimacy of an adulterine child could have significant implications for inheritance rights and social status. Laws regarding illegitimacy varied widely across different cultures and time periods.

The concept of adulterine children often intersected with religious and moral doctrines concerning marriage and fidelity. While the child itself was not considered morally culpable, their status was often determined by the circumstances of their conception. In some societies, provisions were made to legitimize such children under certain conditions, such as the subsequent marriage of the parents.

The term is less commonly used in modern legal systems, which generally focus on establishing paternity through scientific means rather than relying on historical distinctions based on marital status or presumed infidelity. However, the historical understanding of adulterine children provides insight into past social structures, legal frameworks, and attitudes towards family and lineage.