illegittimi

Illegittimi is the plural form of illegittimo, an Italian adjective meaning not in accordance with law, rules, or accepted norms. The term can describe something illegal or unauthorized, as well as something morally or officially unconformed.

Historically, the word was used to refer to children born outside of wedlock, commonly translated as “figli illegittimi.” In many legal traditions, illegitimacy carried social stigma and affected certain rights. In contemporary practice, especially in Italy and many other countries, the concept of illegitimacy has largely been removed from the legal framework; birth status does not determine a child’s fundamental rights, and terms emphasizing illegitimacy are increasingly considered outdated or pejorative. In everyday language, people are more likely to say “figli nati fuori dal matrimonio” or simply “figli,” to avoid stigma.

In broader usage, illegittimo can describe acts, documents, or proposals that lack legal validity or authorization, such as an “atto illegittimo” (an illegitimate act) or an “titolo illegittimo” (an illegitimate title). The term derives from Latin illegitimus, meaning “not legitimate.”

Overall, illegittimi functions as a historical marker of birth status and a descriptive term for illegality or lack of legitimacy in various contexts, with contemporary usage tending toward neutral or non-stigmatizing language. See also legitimacy, illegality.