[attrib.]having a legitimate right to property, position, or status 对财产(或地位、身份)享有合法权利的 the rightful owner of the jewels. 珠宝的合法所有人。 ■legitimately claimed; fitting 正当的;合适的,恰当的 they are determined to take their rightful place in a new South Africa. 他们决心在新南非享有正当的地位。
派生 rightfully adverb rightfulness noun 语源
Old English rihtful 'upright, righteous' (see right, -ful). The notion of ‘legitimacy ’dates from Middle English