Main Entry: le·gal·ist

Pronunciation: \-list\

Function: noun

Date: 1646

1 : an advocate or adherent of moral legalism
2 : one that views things from a legal standpoint; especially : one that places primary emphasis on legal principles or on the formal structure of governmental institutions

— le·gal·is·tic \ˌlē-gə-ˈlis-tik\ adjective

— le·gal·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb