Word Study
adulterine
CIDE DICTIONARY
adulterine, a. [L. adulterinus, fr. adulter.].
Proceeding from adulterous intercourse. Hence: Spurious; without the support of law; illegal. [1913 Webster]
"When any particular class of artificers or traders thought proper to act as a corporation without a charter, such were called adulterine guilds." [1913 Webster]
adulterine, n.
An illegitimate child. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
adulterine, adj.
1 illegal, unlicensed.
2 spurious.
3 born of adultery.
1 illegal, unlicensed.
2 spurious.
3 born of adultery.
Etymology
L adulterinus f. adulter: see ADULTERY
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