legitimist

American  

[li-jit-uh-mist] / lɪˈdʒɪt ə mɪst /

noun

1. a supporter of legitimate authority, especially of a claim to a throne based on direct descent.

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adjective

1. Also legitimistic of, relating to, or supporting legitimate authority.

legitimist British  

/ lɪˈdʒɪtɪmɪst /

noun

1. a monarchist who supports the rule of a legitimate dynasty or of its senior branch

2. (formerly) a supporter of the elder line of the Bourbon family in France

3. a supporter of legitimate authority

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adjective

1. of or relating to legitimists

Other Word Forms

• legitimism noun

Etymology

Origin of legitimist

1835–45; < Latin lēgitim ( us ) lawful ( legitim ) + -ist, modeled on French légitimiste

Example Sentences

Joseph de Maistre was "a fierce absolutist, a furious theocrat, an intransigent legitimist ... always and everywhere the champion of the hardest, narrowest and most inflexible dogmatism."

From Salon • Jul. 1, 2023

But the fact also was that Sophia was a Stuart by the mother's side, and did not wish too loudly to proclaim that she was not a legitimist.

From Lectures on Modern history by Acton, John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron

They adopted a strict legitimist theory of the descent of the crown, and denied the right of parliament to deal with the succession.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5 English History by Various

The legitimist financiers have shown a decided objection to my wife appearing on the stage.

From Black Diamonds by Jókai, Mór

He is thus a legitimist with a difference.

From A Short History of French Literature by Saintsbury, George