Licit
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈlɪs.ɪt/
- Rhymes: -ɪsɪt
Origin
From Latin licitus ("lawful"), perfect participle of licet ("pertaining to the law").
Full definition of licit
Adjective
licit
- Not forbidden by formal or informal rules.
- Undated, Pope Honorius III (anonymous translator),Let it not be in any way licit to anyone among men to infringe this page of our confirmation, or to contravene it with rash daring.
- 1896, Robert Louis Stevenson, ,You seem to have been very much offended because your father talks a little sculduddery after dinner, which it is perfectly licit for him to do, ...
- 2008, July 27, Jeremy Seabrook, "Obama and the illusion of leadership", The Guardian,The vanity of efforts to deter humanity from following this licit and highly profitable mobility, clearly indicate the limits of their leaders' power.
- (legal) Explicitly established or constituted by law.
- 1913, Joseph Selinger, Catholic Encyclopedia, ""The contract validly made and consummated is dissolved by death alone. However, the Church must determine what is required for a valid and licit marriage contract.
Usage notes
Licit and valid are legal terms to be compared, especially in terms of canon law. Something that is licit (such as a marriage contract), may nonetheless be invalid, illegal or both (for example, a bigamous marriage).
Synonyms
- (not forbidden) lawful, appropriate, legit, legitimate
- (constituted) established, lawful, legal
Antonyms
- (legal) illicit