| a. | 1. | Not lawful; contrary to law.
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| Adj. | 1. | unlawful - not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention; "an unconventional marriage"; "improper banking practices" Synonyms: improper, unconventional |
| 2. | unlawful - contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law; "unlawful measures"; "unlawful money"; "unlawful hunters" Antonyms: lawful - conformable to or allowed by law; "lawful methods of dissent" | |
| 3. | unlawful - not morally right or permissible; "unlawful love" | |
| 4. | unlawful - having no legally established claim; "the wrongful heir to the throne" Synonyms: wrongful | |
| 5. | unlawful - contrary to or forbidden by law; "an illegitimate seizure of power"; "illicit trade"; "an outlaw strike"; "unlawful measures" |
UNLAWFUL. That which is contrary to law.
2. There are two kinds of contracts which are unlawful; those which are
void, and those which are not. When the law expressly prohibits the
transaction in respect of which the agreement is entered into and declares
it to be void, it is absolutely so. 3 Binn. R. 533. But when it is merely
prohibited, without being made void, although unlawful, it is not void. 12
Serg. & Rawle, 237; Chitty, Contr. 230; 23 Amer. Jur. 1 to 23; 1 Mod. 35; 8
East, R. 236, 237; 3 Taunt. R. 244; Hob. 14. Vide Condition; Void.