1. rightful(s = adj.all) - legally valid; "a rightful inheritance"
Derived form noun rightfulness1
2. rightful(s = adj.all) lawful, true - having a legally established claim; "the legitimate heir"; "the true and lawful king"
Derived form noun rightfulness1
1. Righteous; upright; just; good; -- said of persons. Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. Consonant to justice; just; as, a rightful cause. [1913 Webster]
3. Having the right or just claim according to established laws; being or holding by right; as, the rightful heir to a throne or an estate; a rightful king. [1913 Webster]
4. Belonging, held, or possessed by right, or by just claim; as, a rightful inheritance; rightful authority. [1913 Webster]
rightful, adj.
1 a (of a person) legitimately entitled to (a position etc.) (the rightful heir). b (of status or property etc.) that one is entitled to.
2 (of an action etc.) equitable, fair.
Derivative:
rightfully adv. rightfulness n.
Etymology:
OE rihtful (as RIGHT n.)
N right, what ought to be, what should be, fitness, summum jus, justice, equity, equitableness, propriety, fair play, impartiality, measure for measure, give and take, lex talionis, Astraea, Nemesis, Themis, scales of justice, evenhanded justice, karma, suum cuique, clear stage, fair field and no favor, level playing field, morals, law, honor, virtue, right, good, just, reasonable, fit, equal, equable, equatable, evenhanded, fair, legitimate, justifiable, rightful, as it should be, as it ought to be, lawful deserved, rightly, +a bon droit, au bon droit, in justice, in equity, in reason, without distinction of persons, without regard to persons, without respect to persons, upon even terms, Int, all right!, fair's fair, Dieu et mon droit, in equal scale weighing delight and dole, justitia cuum cuique distribuit, justitiae soror incorrupta fides, justitia virtutem regina, thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just.