If you license the thing, it's legal (5)

I believe the answer is:

licit

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'it's legal' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for licit that I've seen before include "Allowed as by law, not forbidden" , "Allowable" , "Permitted by law" , "OK?" , "Within the law" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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