The state or condition of being a bastard; illegitimacy, especially regarding children born outside wedlock.
From bastard + -y (suffix forming abstract nouns, from Old English and Germanic origins). Emerged in Middle English to describe legal status. The root bastard possibly comes from Old French bast (pack saddle) or Basque, though etymology is disputed.
Medieval law courts had entire categories based on bastardy—it determined inheritance rights, social standing, and career options, making it one of the most consequential word categories in pre-modern society.
Variant spelling of 'bastardy' (also 'bastardy' in legal documents): the state of being born outside lawful wedlock. Historically encoded gendered penalties—women lost property rights, guardianship, and social standing; illegitimate children inherited father's shame but mother bore social cost.
Replace with 'illegitimacy' or specific legal term (e.g., 'outside marriage' in historical analysis). Avoid as a descriptor of persons.
["illegitimacy","extramarital birth","born outside marriage"]
Illegitimate children's legal disabilities fell disproportionately on mothers, who lost economic agency and children's guardianship. Women's reproductive autonomy was the historical target of this term.
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