ilícito
illicit
adjective ee-LEE-see-toh Rare
Origin: From Latin illicitus, from in- (not) + licitus (permitted).
Also means
unlawful
Usage Note
Ilícito is a formal or legal adjective meaning not permitted by law or ethics: enriquecimiento ilícito (illicit enrichment), tráfico ilícito (illicit trafficking). It is stronger and more formal than ilegal (illegal) and implies moral as well as legal transgression. The noun ilícito (an unlawful act) is also used in legal Spanish.
Examples
"Fue detenido por actividades comerciales ilícitas."
Natural Translation
He was arrested for illicit commercial activities.
Related Words
Explore Spanish by topic