Dictionary

legalise en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈliːɡəlaɪz/
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

From legal + -ise. Piecewise doublet of loyalise.

Meanings

1. (UK, alt-of, nonstandard) Non-Oxford British English standard spelling of legalize.
   alt of legalize
   • The “bare knuckled competition that globalisation requires" is presented as a non-negotiable given, while those on the receiving end of the consequences are dismissed as ill-informed and wishing to "legalise modern-day forms of piracy and counterfeiting" (and in this respect Shapiro is referring to the governments of Brazil and India). 2009, Resurgence, page 64:
   • At a time when multipartyism had already been legalised, the people were instructed by the police to unhoist their flag at Shumba Mjini and other places. 2001, Mohammed Ali Bakari, The Democratisation Process in Zanzibar: A Retarded Transition, page 184:
   • The law passed by the chancellor, Olaf Scholz’s ruling three-party coalition, legalises cultivating up to three plants for private consumption, the possession of 50g of cannabis at one time at home, and 25g in public. 2024 February 23, Kate Connolly, “Germany legalises possession of cannabis for personal use”, in The Guardian:
   • Support for legalising cannabis has continued to grow over the years, as usage has increased and the drug has been legalised elsewhere. 2023 September 4, Amy Remeikis, “Legalising cannabis in Australia: how would it work and is there a catch?”, in The Guardian:

Forms

Deriveds

legalisation · unlegalised · relegalise