adj.
- Being within the law; allowed by law: lawful methods of dissent.
- Established, sanctioned, or recognized by the law: the lawful heir.
- Obeying the law; law-abiding.
lawfulness law'ful·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.