illegitimacy
(ɪlɪˈdʒɪtɪməsɪ)
[f. illegitimate: see -acy.]
The quality, state, or condition of being illegitimate; spec. bastardy.
| 1680 Wood Life (O.H.S.) II. 493 The King's declaration concerning the illegitimacie of the duke of Monmouth. 1751 Earl of Orrery Remarks Swift (1752) 5 The other suggestion concerning the illegitimacy of his birth, is equally false. 1864 Doran Majesties' Serv. I. 80 His mother had addressed him..by an epithet referring to his illegitimacy. 1882–3 Schaff Encycl. Relig. Knowl. 2412/1 He..was fully aware of its illegitimacy..as doctrinal evidence. 1898 F. Hall in Nation (N.Y.) LXVI. 341/1 The [alleged] illegitimacy of [the expression] in our midst. |