legal

Everyday

1. Allowed by the law of a country or place. tree →
2. To do with the law, courts and lawyers: legal advice, a legal case. tree →
3. Following the rules of a game or a sport: a legal move in chess. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety it tells you something is allowed by law (it is legal to ride a bike here; it is not legal to drive without a licence). In stories a «legal battle» is a fight in court. Phrases: legal age, legal tender (money that must be accepted), legal guardian, legal move. In maths and games a «legal move» is one the rules allow.

Examples

• It is legal to cross the road at a zebra crossing. tree →
• Is it legal to fly a drone in the park? tree →
• Her aunt gives legal advice to families. tree →
• The bishop's move was legal, so the game went on. tree →
• You must be of legal age to vote. tree →
• His legal guardian signed the school form. tree →
• Coins and notes are legal tender. tree →
• The company started a legal case against the builder. tree →

Note

Opposite: illegal (with -il, not «unlegal»). Noun: legality; adverb: legally. Legal does not always mean right or kind, and some things that feel unfair are still legal. A «legal guardian» is the adult the law puts in charge of a child. «Legal size» paper is a size used in the USA and Canada.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life and safety it tells you something is allowed by law (it is legal to ride a bike here; it is not legal to drive without a licence). In stories a «legal battle» is a fight in court. Phrases: legal age, legal tender (money that must be accepted), legal guardian, legal move. In maths and games a «legal move» is one the rules allow.

Examples

• A public domain book is one that was never subject to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• + Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

Opposite: illegal (with -il, not «unlegal»). Noun: legality; adverb: legally. Legal does not always mean right or kind, and some things that feel unfair are still legal. A «legal guardian» is the adult the law puts in charge of a child. «Legal size» paper is a size used in the USA and Canada.