legend

plural legends

1. countableuncountableThe life story of a saint (such stories are often embellished, but any kind is called a legend).

   As a child she had nothing to read but the legends of early Christian martyrs.

2. An unrealistic story depicting past events.
   1. countableuncountableA story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.

      The legend of Troy was discovered to have a historical basis.

      Synonyms: myth

   2. countableuncountableA plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain.

      the legend of Robin Hood

   3. countableuncountableA 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.

      Synonyms: myth, tall tale

   4. countableuncountableA fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records.

      According to his legend, he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.

      3 more examples

      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.

      1992, Ronald Kessler, Inside the CIA, Pocket Books, published 1994, →ISBN, page 115

      Sorge solidified his own position by returning to Germany and developing a new legend. He joined the Nazi Party[…].

      2003, Rodney Carlisle, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Spies and Espionage, Alpha Books, →ISBN, page 105

      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.

      2005, Curtis Peebles, Twilight Warriors, Naval Institute Press, →ISBN, page 25

      Synonyms: cover story

3. uncountableSuch stories considered collectively; unverified traditional tales.

   According to ancient legend, a Greek girl, partaking of saffron for an entire week, could not resist a lover.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 212

4. A person related to a legend or legends.
   1. countableuncountableA leading protagonist in a historical legend.

      Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.

      Synonyms: hero

   2. countableuncountableA person of extraordinary fame or accomplishments.

      Sachin Tendulkar stands as a legend in cricket.

      1 more example

      Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.

   3. AustraliaIrelandNew ZealandUKcolloquialcountableslanguncountableA cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male.

      I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend.

      Synonyms: brick

5. countableuncountablecartographyA key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.

   According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.

   Synonyms: guide, key

6. countableuncountablegovernmentAn 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.

   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.

   1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 375, about Terling

   1 more 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.

   1987, Gene Wolfe, chapter XLVIII, in The Urth of the New Sun, 1st US edition, New York: Tor Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 281

   Synonyms: inscription

7. countableuncountableA musical composition set to a poetical story.
8. countableuncountablegovernmentThe design and specification of a vessel.

   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.

   1929, Journal of the American Society of Naval Engineers, Inc, page 304

   1 more 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.

   1976, Alan Raven, John Roberts, British Battleships of World War Two: The Development and Technical History of the Royal Navy's Battleships and Battlecruisers from 1911 to 1946, page 63

present singular third person legends · participle present legending · participle past legended · past legended

1. archaictransitiveTo tell or narrate; to recount.

   Nor ladie's wanton love , nor wand'ring knight, Legend I out in rymes all richly dight

   1597, [Joseph Hall], “(please specify the page)”, in Virgidemiarum, Sixe Bookes. First Three Bookes, of Tooth-lesse Satyrs. […], London: […] Thomas Creede, for Robert Dexter, →OCLC

1. A male given name.