legend
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English legende, from Old French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda (“a legend, story, especially the lives of the saints”), from Latin legenda, from lego (“I read”).
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
legend (plural legends)
- A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.
- The legend of Troy was discovered to have historical basis.
- A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.
- The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends. Here's the real story.
- A leading protagonist in a historical legend.
- Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.
- A person of extraordinary accomplishment.
- Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.
- A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.
- According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.
- An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.
- A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records; a cover story.
- According to his legend, he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.
- 1992, Ronald Kessler, Inside the CIA, 1994 Pocket Books edition, ISBN 067173458X, page 115:
- If the documents are needed to establish "a light legend," meaning a superficial cover story, no steps are taken to make sure that if someone calls the college or motor vehicle department, the name on the document will be registered.
- 2003, Rodney Carlisle, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Spies and Espionage, Alpha Books, ISBN 0028644182, page 105:
- Sorge solidified his own position by returning to Germany and developing a new legend. He joined the Nazi Party […] .
- 2005, Curtis Peebles, Twilight Warriors, Naval Institute Press, ISBN 1591146607, page 25:
- Both the agent's legend and documents were intended to stand up against casual questions from Soviet citizens, such as during a job interview, or a routine police document check, such as were made at railway stations.
- (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial, slang) A cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male.
- I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend.
Synonyms[edit]
- (story of unknown origin): myth
- (story embellished to become implausible): myth, tall tale
- (leading protagonist): hero
- (person of extraordinsry accomplishment): hero
- (key to symbols on a map or chart): guide, key
- (text on a coin): inscription
- (fabricated backstory for a spy): cover, cover story
- (worthy friend): brick
Derived terms[edit]
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events
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any person of extraordinary accomplishment
key to the symbols and color codes on a map
Verb[edit]
legend (third-person singular simple present legends, present participle legending, simple past and past participle legended)
- (archaic, transitive) To tell or narrate; to recount.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Bishop Hall to this entry?)
External links[edit]
- legend in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- legend in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
Dutch[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
-
Audio (file)
Participle[edit]
legend
Declension[edit]
Declension of legend
Anagrams[edit]
German[edit]
Verb[edit]
legend
- Present participle of legen.
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Old French
- English terms derived from Medieval Latin
- English terms derived from Latin
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- British English
- Irish English
- Australian English
- New Zealand English
- English colloquialisms
- English slang
- English verbs
- English archaic terms
- English transitive verbs
- Dutch terms with audio links
- Dutch present participles
- German verb forms
- German present participles
