Link Centre Dictionary

illicit

il·li·cit

UK/ɪˈlɪsɪt/ US/ˌɪˈlɪsʌt/ uncommon

adjective

1.

contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention

  • “an illicit association with his secretary”
Antonyms
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2.

contrary to or forbidden by law

  • “an illegitimate seizure of power”
  • “illicit trade”
  • “an outlaw strike”
  • “unlawful measures”
Synonyms
Similar

Origin

Borrowed from French illicite, from Latin illicitus, from in- (“not”) + licitus (“allowed, permitted”), from licet (“it is allowed”). By surface analysis, il- + licit.

Related words

Word family

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.