legitimize

[li-jit-uh-mahyz]

verb (used with object), le·git·i·mized, le·git·i·miz·ing.

to make legitimate.

Also especially British, le·git·i·mise.

Origin of legitimize

1840–50; < Latin lēgitim(us) (see legitim) + -ize

Related formsle·git·i·mi·za·tion, noun

Can be confusedlegitimate legitimize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for legitimise

Historical Examples of legitimise

To-day or never he will say to me, 'A marriage must legitimise the birth of our child!'
The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 6 of 6
Eugne Sue
Carlo Malatesta went to infinite trouble to legitimise Galeotto and Sigismondo, his brother's illegitimate children.
Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume I (of 3)
James Dennistoun
In them Goethe's words were fulfilled: "None are so Legitimist as those who can legitimise themselves."
Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature, Vol. II (of 6): The Romantic School in Germany
Georg Brandes
This is the sanction invoked to legitimise every adventure in invasion and colonisation.
The Open Secret of Ireland
T. M. Kettle

British Dictionary definitions for legitimise

legitimize

legitimise legitimatize or legitimatise (lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz)

verb

(tr) to make legitimate; legalize

Derived Formslegitimization, legitimisation, legitimatization or legitimatisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for legitimise

legitimize

1795, from Latin legitimus (see legitimate) + -ize. Earlier was legitimatize (1791). Related: Legitimized; legitimizing.