illegal English · revision 3928

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1538|origins=la-med illegālis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪˈliː.ɡəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|illégal]] or directly [[der|la-med|illegālis]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from Latin il-, the assimilated form of [[m|la|in-|t=not]], and [[m|la|lēgālis|t=legal]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[legal]] and [[illegality]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Contrary to law: 1626 in the OED and Barnhart,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the 1630s in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates it to 1538.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Illegally'' is from the 1620s^(Etymonline) and ''illegality'' from 1639.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Illegal immigrant'' is recorded by 1892 in American English, and ''illegal immigration'' from 1887;^(Etymonline) in British use from the late 1930s it was applied to Jews entering Palestine.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The noun, an illegal immigrant, is from 1939,^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) and a Soviet secret agent working abroad without diplomatic cover from 1968.^(OED 1989) In computing it means unacceptable to a program.^(AHD) The Century Dictionary held that it implies a real breach of law, not a mere irregularity of procedure.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1538 – first known use.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1626 – contrary to law.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1639 – ''illegality''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1892 – ''illegal immigrant''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1939 – noun, an illegal immigrant.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1968 – a Soviet agent.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Forbidden by [[law]]; unlawful.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Against the official rules, as of a game.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In computing, not acceptable to or performable by a program.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' An [[illegal immigrant]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[illegally]]

+ * [[illegality]]

+ * [[illegalize]]

+ * [[illegal alien]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[legal]]

+ * [[illicit]]

+ * [[legitimate]]

+ * [[loyal]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}