Understanding ‘Illegitimate’: SAT Vocabulary Explained
Learn the meaning, usage, and context of the word ‘illegitimate’ to boost your SAT vocabulary. This video covers its definition, etymology, synonyms, antonyms, and common usage errors to help you master this important term for your exam preparation.
Imagine you’re watching your favorite historical drama series, and suddenly, the king announces that his illegitimate son cannot inherit the throne.
What does that mean exactly? Today, we’re exploring the word illegitimate, a term you might encounter on your SAT exam.
Word type: Illegitimate is an adjective.
Meaning: Illegitimate has two primary meanings. First, it describes something not authorized by the law or not in accordance with accepted standards or rules.
Second, it refers to a child born to parents who are not married to each other.
Word history: The word illegitimate comes from the Latin prefix il meaning not, and legitimus meaning lawful or genuine.
It entered the English language in the mid fifteenth century.
Antonyms: Some antonyms of illegitimate include legitimate, legal, lawful, and valid.
Synonyms: Synonyms for illegitimate include unlawful, illegal, illicit, unauthorized, and invalid.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how to use illegitimate in context.
The dictator’s illegitimate seizure of power led to widespread protests. In many societies, illegitimate children once faced significant social stigma.
The company’s illegitimate business practices eventually led to its downfall. Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing illegitimate with illegal.
While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, illegal specifically refers to something that’s against the law, while illegitimate has a broader meaning of being invalid or unauthorized.
Understanding the word illegitimate and its various contexts can help you tackle complex reading passages and sentence completion questions on the SAT.
Remember, it’s not just about knowing the definition, but also about understanding how the word is used in different situations.
By mastering words like illegitimate, you’re building a strong vocabulary foundation that will serve you well beyond the SAT.
