Where does “illegally” come from?
Illegally derives from English illegal, from French illégal, from Latin in- (not) and -alis (relating to), with -alis from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm (together), ultimately meaning not in accordance with law.
illegally (English): In a manner contrary to law
Definitions
- In a manner contrary to law
Ancestry of “illegally”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | illegal | Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially... |
| 2 | French | illégal | illegal; not permitted by law |
| 3 | Medieval Latin | illegalis | illegal |
| 4 | Latin | lēgālis | legal |
| 5 | Latin | lēx | a proposition or motion for a law made to the people by a magistrate, a bill |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | lēg- | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | leǵ-s | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | leǵ- | to gather, collect, with derivatives meaning to... |