Lē'gal, a.

a. [Lat. legalis, from lex, legis, law; Fr. légal, Sp. legal, It. legale.]

1. According to, in conformity with, or relating to, law; as, a legal standard or test; a legal procedure; a legal claim.
2. Lawful; permitted by law; as, a legal trade; any thing is legal which the laws do not forbid.
3. (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.
4. (Law.) Governed by the rules of law as distinguished from the rules of equity; as, legal estate; legal assets; and the like. Bouvier. Burrill.

Legal fiction. See FICTION.—Legal tender, that which the law authorizes to be tendered in payment of debts. It differs in different countries. Syn.—Lawful; constitutional; legitimate; licit; authorized.