Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Legitimation \Le*git`i*ma"tion\ (-m[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [Cf. F.
   l['e]gitimation.]
   1. The act of making legitimate.

            The coining or legitimation of money. --East.

   2. Lawful birth. [R.] --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

legitimation
     n 1: the act of rendering a person legitimate; "he has filial
          rights because he obtained letters of legitimation from
          the king"; "his parents' subsequent marriage resulted in
          his legitimation"
     2: the act of making lawful [syn: {legalization}, {legalisation}]