déliciter

Deliciter is a rarely attested French verb that is sometimes discussed in theoretical or critical discussions of regulation and ethics. It is generally described as meaning to render something illicit, or to remove its licit status, i.e., to move a practice from the realm of what is permitted to what is prohibited.

Etymology and formation: the word is built from the prefix dé- plus a root related to licite, and by extension to illicit. The proposed sense aligns with the binary of licite (permitted) and illicite (forbidden). As a neologism, deliciter is not standardized and has limited acceptance in formal writing.

Usage and acceptance: deliciter is not listed in major French dictionaries and is encountered mainly in specialized or polemical texts, policy analyses, or experimental linguistic discussions. Because the term is not widely established, its meaning can be ambiguous and must be defined in context when used. In ordinary discourse, speakers typically prefer periphrases such as « rendre illicite » or « retirer le statut licite ».

Examples: in a theoretical reform discussion, one might encounter formulations like: une réforme qui délicite certaines pratiques économiques en les rendant explicitement illicites, ou encore des propositions visant à déliciter des activités auparavant tolérées.

See also: illicite, licite, illicite, décriminalisation, réglementation, politique publique. Notes: deliciter is a niche term and should be introduced with a clear definition if used in formal writing.