Legal
/ˈliːɡəl/noun
Relating to the law or allowed by law.
Did you know?Its deepest root is tied to the ancient idea of “laying” something down in an ordered way, which is why law, language, and legitimacy all orbit the same old concept of what is properly placed.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leg-
“to collect, gather, choose, or speak in an orderly way”
Latin
Latin
lex, legis
“a law; a formal rule laid down for a community”
Classical Latin
Latin
legalis
“pertaining to law”
Old French
Old French
legal
“lawful; according to the law”
Middle English
English
legall
“lawful, permitted by law”
Modern English
English
legal
“relating to the law or permitted by law”