Originally: of legitimate birth (implying noble lineage or descent). In later use chiefly: of unmixed ancestry, origin, or descent. Also…

born in (or †under or out of) wedlock: said distinctively of legitimate or illegitimate offspring. Now the most frequent use of the noun.

Of a person: legitimately entitled to a position, status, or title, esp. by virtue of birth or descent; rightful, lawful; = kind, adj. 3a. Of a…

Of a child: born in wedlock, legitimate. Also (esp. in Ecclesiastical Law): legitimized by the subsequent marriage of the parents.

Of a child: having the status of one born to parents lawfully married to each other, entitled in law to full filial rights; of a parent…

Born in wedlock; = mulier, adj.

Of a marriage: Such as the law permits; and regards as valid. Of offspring: Born in lawful wedlock, legitimate.

Of a person's child: genetically related (without reference to legal recognition). Formerly also: esp. †born in lawful wedlock, legitimate (obsolete…

In wedlock; legitimately.

In accordance with law.

Of a child or parent: = natural, adj. 15. Obsolete. rare.

= legal, adj. in certain senses. Of a child: Legitimate. Obsolete.

Of persons: Lineally descended (rare). †Also, of children, legitimate (obsolete).

lawfully begotten, legitimate.

Phrases. a wet blanket: a person or thing that throws a damper over anything, as a wet blanket smothers fire. born on the wrong side of the blanket…