filiate

transitive verb

fil·​i·​ate
ˈfi-lē-ˌāt
filiated; filiating
: to declare (a child) the descendant of a particular parent and especially a father
has not been filiated by the initiative of the parentLouisiana Civil Code
compare acknowledge sense 2b, legitimate

Note: A child may be illegitimate but filiated. Both legitimation and acknowledgment filiate an illegitimate child. Adopted children are filiated by the adoption proceeding.

Dictionary Entries Near filiate

Cite this Entry

“Filiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/filiate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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