English Explanatory Dictionary

illicit

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Not approved by law, but not invalid.
  2. Breaking social norms.
  3. Unlawful.
noun
  1. A banned or unlawful item.

Pronunciation

/ɪˈlɪsɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-illicit.wav

Word forms

illicit more illicit most illicit illicits

Etymology

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

Synonyms

disallowed nonlicet prohibited banned forbidden impermissible illegal illicit interdicted nonallowed proscribed proscript unallowed unpermitted verboten deviant improper scandalous criminal illegitimate crimeful lawbreaking nonlawful outlawed unlawful wrongful

Related words

elicit

Derived words

illicitly illicitness
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