Lawful, constitutional, legal, legitimate, licit, adj

These adjectives characterize ways of indicating what is permitted, allowable or sanctioned.

Lawful implies ‘conformity with laws, statutes, canons, precepts, principles, rules, and so forth intended to regulate the conduct of those coming within their particular field of action’. · Judge Acton concluded that the surveillance had been lawful.

Legal has nearly the same meaning, but is restricted chiefly to statute laws as they apply at certain times and places or under prescribed conditions. · Divorce is lawful but subject to various legal requirement before taking final effect. · The legal speed within the town is 30 miles per hour.

Constitutional refers tothe fundamental laws and principles that have been adopted formally to govern the operations of a state acting as a unit towards those subject to its control and in its dealings with other states. Strict usage distinguishes constitutional from all the other terms because of its direct reference to a document, instrument, or body of rules acknowledged as paramount in determining what is legal or lawful. · The Crown must exercise its constitutional powers only in accordance with the advice of ministers who collectively command the support of the majority of the House of Commons.

Legitimate applies particularly to the ‘status accorded by legal authority and most usually to the status of being born in wedlock’. · Since she was his legitimate daughter, she would inherit a share of his fortune after his death.

Licit means 'not forbidden by law, permissible' as well as the far better known and more widely used negative form illicit. · The states undertake to combat illicit drug trafficking.