legittimista

legitimist

adjective leh-jeet-tee-MEE-stah Rare

Origin: French légitimiste, from Latin legitimus (lawful)

Also means

royalist (political)

Usage Note

Legittimista describes a person or faction supporting the claim of a ruler held to be the rightful heir by legitimate succession, as opposed to a usurper or elected authority. The term arose especially in 19th-century European politics — French Legitimists supported the Bourbon line; Italian legittimisti backed the pre-Risorgimento dynasties. The word functions as both adjective and noun and is invariable in gender: un legittimista (m), una legittimista (f).

Examples

"Il partito legittimista si opponeva alle riforme liberali."

Natural Translation

The legitimist party opposed the liberal reforms.

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