Adulterine

/əˈdʌltərɪn/ adjective

Definition

Produced or resulting from adultery; relating to or born from an adulterous relationship.

Etymology

From Latin 'adulterinus,' derived from 'adulter' (adulterer). The -ine suffix indicates a quality or relationship, commonly used in scientific and formal English.

Kelly Says

Medieval English law had special terms for children born outside wedlock—'adulterine children' could be completely disinherited and had no legal rights to family property, making the word literally consequential for a child's entire life.

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