legal
legal
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "legal" is: /ˈliːɡəl/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
le-:
/liː/ - long "ee" sound
-gal:
/ɡəl/ - "g" sound followed by a schwa and an "l" sound.
Word Form Variations
legal (adjective):
This is the base form, meaning "permitted by law" or "relating to law."
legally (adverb):
This adverb form modifies verbs, indicating that something is done in a legal manner.
legality (noun):
This noun form refers to the state of being legal.
illegal (adjective):
The opposite of legal.
illegally (adverb):
The adverb form of illegal.
illegality (noun):
The noun form of illegal.
Therefore, "legal" itself doesn't have plural forms like many nouns. The variations come from:
Adverbial forms (legally).
Noun forms (legality).
Opposite forms (illegal, illegally, illegality).
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective: legal
Definition 1: Conforming to or permitted by the established laws or rules of a jurisdiction.
Synonyms: lawful, legitimate, permissible, rightful, authorized, valid.
Antonyms: illegal, unlawful, illicit, prohibited, unauthorized, invalid.
Definition 2: Relating to or concerned with the law or the administration of justice.
Synonyms: juridical, judicial, statutory, forensic.
Antonyms: nonlegal, extralegal.
Adverb: legally
Definition: In a manner that complies with or is authorized by the law.
Synonyms: lawfully, legitimately, rightfully, validly, permissibly.
Antonyms: illegally, unlawfully, illicitly, invalidly.
Noun: legality
Definition: The state or quality of being in accordance with the law; the lawfulness of something.
Synonyms: lawfulness, legitimacy, validity, permissibility, legitimacy.
Antonyms: illegality, unlawfulness, invalidity, illegitimacy.
Examples of Use
Legal (Adjective):
Law and Courts:
"The jury deliberated on the evidence to determine if the defendant's actions were within the bounds of legal self-defense." (General public discourse/News reports)
"The Supreme Court reviewed the case to ensure the lower court's decision was based on sound legal principles." (News publications, e.g., The New York Times)
Business and Contracts:
"Before signing the contract, it is crucial to have it reviewed by a legal professional." (General public discourse/Business advice websites)
"The company sought legal counsel to ensure its new advertising campaign was compliant with all regulations."
Immigration:
"The debate over legal immigration continues to be a central topic in political discourse." (News broadcasts, Politico, etc.)
Entertainment:
In the show "Better Call Saul" much of the plot revolves around the main character attempting to navigate the gray areas of legal practice. (Television show)
Online Publications:
"Understanding the legal implications of online privacy is essential in today's digital age." (Tech websites, blogs)
Legally (Adverb):
Business:
"The company operated legally, adhering to all environmental regulations." (Business news, company reports)
Personal Conduct:
"He was legally allowed to carry a firearm with the proper permits." (News reports, general public discourse)
"The software was downloaded legally from the company's website." (Online forums, tech blogs)
Entertainment:
Music streaming platforms ensure that music is distributed legally by paying royalties to the copyright holders.
Legality (Noun):
Politics:
"The legality of the executive order was challenged in court." (News publications, legal blogs)
Business:
"The company investigated the legality of its competitor's marketing practices." (Business news, financial reports)
General Discourse:
"The debate surrounding the legality of certain substances continues to evolve." (News programs, public forums).
10 Famous Quotes Using Legal
"It is not wisdom but authority that makes a law. Legal rights can be unjust rights." — Thomas Hobbes
"Everything Hitler did in Germany was legal." — Martin Luther King Jr.
"That which is legal is not always moral, and that which is moral is not always legal." — Abraham Lincoln (attributed)
"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty. The legal system is not the same as justice." — Thomas Jefferson (apocryphal but widely quoted)
"The legal profession is not a business; it is a calling in the spirit of public service." — Sonia Sotomayor
"Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and when they fail in this purpose, they become dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. Something may be legal and still be wrong." — Martin Luther King Jr.
"Legal plunder is still plunder. The law cannot organize justice without simultaneously organizing injustice." — Frédéric Bastiat, The Law
"A legal system is only as just as the men who administer it." — Clarence Darrow
"Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal, but it was not just." — Dwight D. Eisenhower (reiterating MLK’s point in later speeches)
"Legal does not mean ethical, and ethical does not always mean legal." — Margaret Chase Smith
Etymology
The Journey of "Legal"
The word "legal" comes from the Latin word "legalis." Think of Latin as the ancient ancestor of many modern languages, including English.
"Legalis" meant "pertaining to the law." It was used in ancient Rome to describe things related to their system of laws.
"Legalis" itself comes from the Latin word "lex," which simply means "law."
So, the core idea is:
"Lex" (Latin) = Law
"Legalis" (Latin) = Relating to law
"Legal" (English) = Relating to law
First Known Use and Meaning
The word "legal" entered the English language around the 15th century. When it first appeared, it carried the same basic meaning it has today: "relating to, derived from, or founded on law."
Basically, from its Latin roots to its modern usage, "legal" has consistently referred to things that are connected to or authorized by the established laws of a society.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Legal
“Legal" isn't a word that lends itself to a vast number of common idioms in the same way that, say, "heart" or "time" does. This is because "legal" tends to be used in more formal and technical contexts. However, here's a breakdown and some ways to address this:
Why "Legal" Idioms Are Scarce:
Formal Nature: "Legal" is inherently tied to formal systems of law, making it less likely to appear in casual, figurative expressions.
Specificity: It's a precise term, not as easily adaptable to metaphorical meanings as more general words.
Phrases and Related Expressions:
Legal tender:
This refers to currency that must be accepted as payment for debts. It's a common phrase, but not quite an idiom.
Legal age:
This signifies the age at which a person is legally considered an adult and has certain rights and responsibilities.
Legal proceedings:
This phrase describes the actions taken within a court of law.
Legal entity:
This refers to a person or organization that has legal rights and responsibilities.
Legal loophole:
This refers to a technicality that allows someone to avoid the intent of the law.
Supplementing with Synonyms and Related Concepts:
To capture the spirit of "legal" in idiomatic expressions, we can turn to synonyms like "lawful" or concepts like "justice" and "rule of law":
"To be on the right side of the law": This is a very common phrase that means to be acting legally.
"To throw the book at someone": While not using "legal" directly, this idiom relates to the severe application of legal penalties.
"To have one's day in court": This phrase speaks to the right to a fair legal hearing.
"To play by the rules": This idiom means to act in accordance with established laws or guidelines.
"To uphold the law": This phrase means to defend and enforce the legal system.
"Within the letter of the law": Meaning to follow the literal wording of the law, but possibly not the intent.
"Within the spirit of the law": Meaning to follow the intent of the law, not just the literal wording.
Original Phrases:
"To legal-proof one's actions": This phrase could be used to describe someone who is very careful to ensure their actions are legally sound.
"To navigate the legal maze": This phrase could be used to describe the complex and often confusing process of dealing with legal matters.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of legal from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
