[ad. F. légiste (recorded from 13th c.), ad. med.L. lēgista, f. lēg-, lēx LAW: see -IST.] One versed in the law. (Cf. JURIST.)
1484. Caxton, Fables of Æsop, V. x. My fader was no legist ne neuer knewe the lawes.
1536. Bellenden, Cron. Scot. (1821), I. 195. Ulpianus, the floure of legistis in his dayis.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, To Gentl. Inner Temple, The honorable assembly of the Inner Temple with all the gentlemen, students and professed Legists in the same.
1616. Bacon, Lett. to King, 12 Feb., Lett. & Life (1869), V. 242. As legists, they will agree in magnifying that wherein they are best.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. 474. He had a Legists place and took the degrees in the Civil Law.
1821. Edin. Rev., XXXV. 169. We shall … bring together the names of some of the great legists of Britain.
1858. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), II. 327. An able legist … he brings into literature the habits and prepossessions of his position.
1895. Rashdall, Universities, II. 568. Ten were to be Legists, and seven Canonists.
