illegal (il.le.gal) adj.

Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French illegal, from Medieval Latin illegalis, from Latin in- + legalis legal

1. Anything that is wrong for you to do, but okay for a police officer to do because he/she has lights on his/her car and a gun. (Example: “The police officer drove the wrong way on Waterman, a one-way street in Providence, but it was not illegal because he had a gun and a hat with a star on it.)

See also: My essay on police chases. Safety? Pfft!