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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.

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