1. born of adultery; illegitimate
Usage: archaic; legal
2. relating to or characterized by adultery
Usage: archaic; formal

Examples

• The adulterine child had no legal claim to the inheritance.
• Medieval law distinguished between legitimate and adulterine offspring.
• The adulterine relationship caused scandal in the community.
• Church records noted the adulterine birth with disapproval.
• Legal documents from that era often referenced adulterine status.