legality
/liːˈɡalɪti
/ /lɪˈɡalɪti/noun (plural legalities) [mass noun]
1The quality or state of being in accordance with the law: documentation testifying to the legality of the arms sale...
- What we have here is a blatant undermining of the system under the cover of legality.
- He had only been given a later assurance of legality, which contained none of the caveats.
- The legality of many actions taken during the settlement of the country was dubious at best.
Synonyms
lawfulness, legitimacy, legitimateness, licitness, validity, rightness, rightfulness, soundness, admissibility, admissibleness, permissibility, constitutionality;
justice, fairness, justness, equity, properness
1.1 (legalities) Obligations imposed by law: you need a solicitor to highlight the legalities of the contract...
- Vows recited in a church or garden or on a mountaintop are separate from the legalities of marriage.
- He said the legalities surrounding Horsfall were one of several factors under consideration.
- In many ancient cultures, the legalities of marriage were formed to ensure the well being of any children brought forth by the union.
Origin
Late Middle English: from French légalité or medieval Latin legalitas 'relating to the law', from Latin legalis (see legal).