illicite

illicit, unlawful

adjective ee-lee-SEET Rare

Origin: from Latin illicitus, not permitted

Usage Note

Illicite is a formal adjective used in legal, journalistic, and official registers to describe activities or goods that are prohibited by law or rules. The antonym is licite (lawful, permissible). It is gender-invariable in form (un commerce illicite, une pratique illicite).

Examples

"Ce commerce illicite a été démantelé."

Natural Translation

This illicit trade was dismantled.

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