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.

Cite this Entry

“Filiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/filiate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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