Etymology: Middle English unlawe, from Old English unlagu, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse ōlög, ūlög illegality, lawlessness, from ō-, ū- un- + lög law — more at law
1. : a violation of law : disregard of the restraints of law : illegality, lawlessness
times of unlaw alternate with times of law — Frederick Pollock & F.W.Maitland
2. Scots law : a fine or amercement for a violation of law
II. transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English (Scots) unlawen, from unlawe, n.
1. Scots law : to impose a fine upon
Useful english dictionary. 2012.