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Where does the word "legal" come from? It comes from Latin legalis, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
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Where does the word "legal" come from? It comes from Latin legalis, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).
Legal’s story begins in Latin: legalis meant “of the law.” From 'lex', law. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as legal. Its native French double is 'loyal', faithful to the law. It reached English by 1400s as legal. 'legal tender' dates from the 1700s. Today, legal means permitted by law.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient legalis "of the law", from 'lex', law.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval legal "legal", its native French double is 'loyal', faithful to the law.
- Stage 3 · English · 1400s legal "lawful", 'legal tender' dates from the 1700s.