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semi-legality

semi-legality

8.8
A situation that is partly allowed by law and partly against the law
  • noun
  • /ˌsɛmi lɪˈɡælɪti/
translation icon : semi-legalidad
  • Many informal workers exist in a state of semi-legality, lacking the full protection of labor laws.

Examples

  • The practice operated in a zone of semi-legality due to ambiguous regulations.

  • The export of rare plants was conducted under semi-legality, with authorities often turning a blind eye.

  • The semi-legality of certain online activities raises many ethical questions.

  • Many businesses operate in a state of semi-legality to avoid strict regulations.

  • Many informal workers exist in a state of semi-legality, lacking the full protection of labor laws.

  • The export of rare plants was conducted under semi-legality, with authorities often turning a blind eye.

  • The practice operated in a zone of semi-legality due to ambiguous regulations.

Synonyms

semilegality
vssemi-legality
9.5

A situation where an action is partly allowed by law or unclear under the law

is the hyphenated spelling of the same condition

How Legal

legality
  • Specialized
42 4.1
semi-legality
8.8
illegality
14 6.7

Surface Forms

semi-legality singular

Morphology

semi-legality = legality (transparent) = semi + legal + ity

The meaning is directly built from 'semi-' meaning partly and 'legality' meaning the state of being legal.

Etymology

The word semi-legality combines semi- meaning 'half', as in semi-final or semicircle, and legal meaning 'by law' or 'lawful', so it means being only partly legal or not clearly legal.