LEGITIMATION

legitimation,n.1. The act of making something lawful; authorization. 2. The act or process of authoritatively declaring a person legitimate, esp. a child whose parentage has been unclear. [Cases: Children Out-of-Wedlock  8.C.J.S. Children Out-of-Wedlock § 23.] 3.Hist. Proof of a person’s identity and of legal permission to reside in a certain place or engage in a certain occupation. Cf. ADOPTION . — legitimate (l<<schwa>>-jit-<<schwa>>-mayt), vb.

 [Blacks Law 8th]