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DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

150 / 336
A judge presiding at a courtroom bench, with a lawyer presenting a document, concretely illustrates the selected sense 'connected with law.'.
adjective

legal

LEE-gul/ˈliːɡl/

Recognized within the system of law.

Etymology
legLatinlaw or enacted rule
+alLatinof, relating to

The law root first gave legal the broad meaning “pertaining to law.” Its meaning then extended to “permitted by law,” distinguishing lawful conduct from things merely connected with the legal system.

Full entry

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