Etymology: < classical Latin legit ‘he reads’, or lēgit ‘he has read’, present or past tense 3rd person indicative of legere to read (see lection n.). This use is with reference to the occurrence of legit as the first word of the statement at the trial of the person claiming benefit of clergy: the ordinary or his deputy said Legit ut clericus ‘he read like a clergyman’ if the claimant read the beginning of Psalm 51 (50 in the Vulgate), the so-called neck verse, fluently, non legit ut clericus ‘he did not read like a clergyman’ if not. Compare neck-verse n.Compare the following earlier examples of the Latin phrase legit ut clericus in an English context:1581 A. Gilby Pleasaunt Dialogue sig. M 3 To saue a theefe if he can reade latin, because he is one of them, Legit vt Clericus.1583 Sir T. Smith's De Republica Anglorum 83 Then he asketh of the Bishops commissarie, legit vt clericus? The commissarie must say legit or non legit.In the following examples the phrase may be used as a noun:1641 R. Baker Apol. Lay-mens Writing in Divinity sig. B8** As though to attaine to Legit ut Clericus; were the uttermost height of a Lay mans learning?1656 R. Baxter Gildas Salvianus: 1st Pt. i. 27 Can you think to be saved then by your Clergy? And to come off by a legit ut Clericus, when there is wanting the credidit & vixit ut Christianus?Compare also the following example of Legit as the name of a character in a play, a clergyman:1671 E. Revet Town-shifts 45 I'le provide Old Legit, the Reader, who is in Orders, and will do the bus'ness as fast as a Bishop, and tye you together to Eternity.

Etymology: As noun shortened < legitimate n. As adjective shortened < legitimate adj.