Unlawful

/ʌnˈlɔfəl/ adjective

Definition

not conforming to or permitted by law; illegal

Etymology

From un- + lawful, where lawful comes from Old English lagu 'law'

Kelly Says

While 'illegal' and 'unlawful' seem identical, lawyers sometimes distinguish them - 'illegal' violates statutes, while 'unlawful' might just violate regulations or common law!

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