legitimacy
    n 1: lawfulness by virtue of being authorized or in accordance
         with law [ant: illegitimacy]
    2: undisputed credibility [syn: authenticity, genuineness,
       legitimacy]

Legitimacy \Le*git"i*ma*cy\ (-[i^]*m[.a]*s[y^]), n. [See
   Legitimate, a.]
   The state, or quality, of being legitimate, or in conformity
   with law; hence, the condition of having been lawfully
   begotten, or born in wedlock.
   [1913 Webster]

         The doctrine of Divine Right, which has now come back
         to us, like a thief from transportation, under the
         alias of Legitimacy.                     --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster]

LEGITIMACY. The state of being born in wedlock; that is, in a lawful manner. 
     2. Marriage is considered by all civilized nations as the only source 
of legitimacy; the qualities of husband and wife must be possessed by the 
parents in order to make the offspring legitimate; and furthermore the 
marriage must be lawful, for if it is void ab initio, the children who may 
be the offspring of such marriage are not legitimate. 1 Phil. Ev. Index,
h.t.; Civ. Code L. art. 203 to 216. 
     3. In Virginia, it is provided by statute of 1787, "that the issue of 
marriages deemed null in law, shall nevertheless be legitimate." 3 Hen. & 
Munf. 228, n. 
     4. A conclusive, presumption of legitimacy arises from marriage and 
cohabitation; and proof of the mother's irregularities will not destroy this 
presumption: pater est quem nuptiae demonstrant. To rebut this presumption, 
circumstances must be shown which render it impossible that the husband 
should be the father, as impotency and the like. 3 Bouv. Inst. n. 300-2. 
Vide Bastard; Bastardy; Paternity; Pregnancy.