Lawful
/ˈlɔːfəl/noun
Allowed by law; legitimate or legal.
Did you know?The word is built from Old English *lagu* (“law, something laid down”), tying law to the idea of something placed or set in order, not just written rules.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*lagą
“that which is laid down; law, rule”
Old English
OE
lagu
“law, ordinance, custom”
Old English
OE
lagolīc
“legal, according to law”
Middle English
ME
lawful
“in accordance with the law; legitimate”
Modern English
English
lawful
“allowed by law; legal”