legalese
|le/gal/ese|
C1
/ˌliːɡəˈliːz/
specialized legal language
Etymology
Etymology Information
'legalese' originates from English, specifically the word 'legal,' where 'legal' meant 'related to law.'
Historical Evolution
'legal' changed from the Latin word 'legalis' and eventually became the modern English word 'legal.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'related to law,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'specialized legal language.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a specialized language used in legal documents that is often difficult for laypeople to understand.
The contract was filled with legalese, making it hard to comprehend.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/23 19:21