[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality or condition of being legitimate, in various senses.
1618. Barnevelt’s Apol., D. If New-kerke … will give you a Testimonie of your legitimatenesse, I will easily beleeue it.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., Apol. 536. They cannot make the least scruple concerning the legitimateness of the Instrument.
a. 1677. Barrow, Pope’s Suprem. (1680), 352. The Fathers of Constantinople … highly asserting the legitimateness of his Ordination.
1831. Southey, in Q. Rev., XLV. 181. Babeuf … maintained the merit and the legitimateness of the Constitution of 1793.
