Le"gal (lē"gal), a. [L.
legalis, fr. lex, legis, law; prob. orig., that
which lies or is fixed (cf. L. lectus bed), and if so akin to
E. lie, law: cf. F. légal. Cf. Lie
to be prostrate, Loyal, Leal.] 1.
Created by, permitted by, in conformity with, or relating to,
law; as, a legal obligation; a legal standard or test;
a legal procedure; a legal claim; a legal trade;
anything is legal which the laws do not forbid.
2. (Theol.) (a)
According to the law of works, as distinguished from free grace;
or resting on works for salvation. (b)
According to the old or Mosaic dispensation; in accordance with
the law of Moses.
3. (Law) Governed by the rules of law
as distinguished from the rules of equity; as, legal estate;
legal assets. Bouvier. Burrill.
Legal cap. See under Cap. --
Legal tender. (a) The act of
tendering in the performance of a contract or satisfaction of a claim
that which the law prescribes or permits, and at such time and place
as the law prescribes or permits. (b) That
currency, or money, which the law authorizes a debtor to tender and
requires a creditor to receive. It differs in different
countries.
Syn. -- Lawful; constitutional; legitimate; licit;
authorized. See Lawful.