Legitimate \Le*git"i*mate\ (-m[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Legitimated} (-m[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Legitimating} (-m[=a]`t[i^]ng).] To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; esp., to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means; as, to legitimate a bastard child. To enact a statute of that which he dares not seem to approve, even to legitimate vice. --Milton.