Le"gal (?), a. [L. legalis, fr. lex, legis, law; prob. orig., that which lies or is fixed (cf. L. lectus bed), and if so akin to E. lie, law: cf. F. l'egal. Cf. Lie to be prostrate, Loyal, Leal.]
1.
Created by, permitted by, in conformity with, or relating to, law; as, a legal obligation; a legal standard or test; a legal procedure; a legal claim; a legal trade; anything is legal which the laws do not forbid.
2. Theol. (a)
According to the law of works, as distinguished from free grace; or resting on works for salvation.
(b)
According to the old or Mosaic dispensation; in accordance with the law of Moses
3. Law
Governed by the rules of law as distinguished from the rules of equity; as, legal estate; legal assets.
Bouvier. Burrill.
Legal cap. See under Cap. -- Legal tender. (a) The act of tendering in the performance of a contract or satisfaction of a claim that which the law prescribes or permits, and at such time and place as the law prescribes or permits. (b) That currency, or money, which the law authorizes a debtor to tender and requires a creditor to receive. It differs in different countries.
Syn. -- Lawful; constitutional; legitimate; licit; authorized. See Lawful.
© Webster 1913.