illegally-backed
|il-le-gal-ly-backed|
🇺🇸
/ɪˈliːɡəli bækd/
🇬🇧
/ɪˈliːɡəli bækt/
unlawful support
Etymology
'illegally-backed' originates from the combination of 'illegal' and 'backed', where 'illegal' comes from Latin 'illegalis', meaning 'not legal', and 'backed' is derived from the Old English 'bæc', meaning 'support'.
'illegally-backed' evolved from the combination of 'illegal' and 'backed', which were used separately in Middle English and eventually combined in modern English to describe unlawful support.
Initially, 'illegal' meant 'not legal', and 'backed' meant 'supported'. The combination now specifically refers to support that is unlawful.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
supported or endorsed in a manner that is not in accordance with the law.
The company was found to be illegally-backed by foreign investors.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/02 09:23