Meanings
comparative more legalist · superlative most legalist
plural legalists
- One who adheres to legalism, in its various senses.
“Don’t say anything! Oh, don’t say anything,” cried the atheist cobbler, dancing about in an ecstasy of admiration of the English legal system. For no man is such a legalist as the good Secularist.
1911, G. K. Chesterton, “The Hammer of God”, in The Innocence of Father Brown
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveOf or related to legalism, in its various senses.
theological doctrine
theological doctrine
Origin
From legal + -ist. Piecewise doublet of loyalist.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Polish legalistyczny, legalista
- legalistycznyof or related to legalism
- legalistaone who adheres to legalism
- legalistkaone who adheres to legalism
Portuguese legalista, legalista
- legalistaof or related to legalism
- legalistaone who adheres to legalism
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
legalist. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/legalist
“legalist.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/legalist. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “legalist,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/legalist.
Source: legalist on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.