Word: legend Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English legende, from Old French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda (“a legend, story, especially the lives of the saints”), from Latin legenda (“things which ought to be read”), from lego (“to read”). Pronunciation: /ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənd/, /ˈliːd͡ʒ.ənd/ 1. The life story of a saint (such stories are often embellished, but any kind is called a legend). Labels: countable, uncountable Example: As a child she had nothing to read but the legends of early Christian martyrs. 2. An unrealistic story depicting past events. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The legend of Troy was discovered to have a historical basis. 3. An unrealistic story depicting past events. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: the legend of Robin Hood 4. An unrealistic story depicting past events. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends. Here's the real story. 5. An unrealistic story depicting past events. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: According to his legend, he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa. Example: 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. 6. Such stories considered collectively; unverified traditional tales. Labels: uncountable Example: According to ancient legend, a Greek girl, partaking of saffron for an entire week, could not resist a lover. 7. A person related to a legend or legends. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Achilles is a legend in Greek culture. 8. A person related to a legend or legends. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball. Example: Sachin Tendulkar stands as a legend in cricket. 9. A person related to a legend or legends. Labels: Australia, Ireland, New-Zealand, UK, colloquial, countable, slang, uncountable Example: I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend. 10. A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: According to the legend on the map, that building is a school. 11. 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. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Further clues are provided by milk-floats bearing the legend 'Lord Rayleigh's Dairies: A Family Business', and a number of signs indicating the whereabouts of various departments of Lord Rayleigh's Farms. Example: […]there were three small brass coins there, the gift of Ymar. Their legends, like their faces, had worn away; and they were dark with verdigris — in appearance precisely the ancient things they were. 12. A musical composition set to a poetical story. Labels: countable, uncountable 13. The design and specification of a vessel. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The legend displacement on the basis then in use was 48,000 tons, the corresponding standard displacement as defined by the Washington Treaty being 47,540 tons. Example: The legend and sketch designs were submitted to the Board on 27th March 1916 and, after examining a model and the drawings, the Sea Lords generally favoured proposal 'B'; the extra weight involved being acceptable.