legend

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 (“I read”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈlɛdʒ.ənd/

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legend (countable and uncountable, plural legends)

1. A unrealistic story depicting past events.
   1. A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.

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

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

      The legend of Robin Hood/the legend of Prester John/the legend of Coriolanus.

   3. 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.

   4. 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, 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, 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, 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.

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

      Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.

   2. A person with legend-like qualities, such as extraordinary accomplishment.

      Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.

      1. (Britain, 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

• (story of unknown origin): myth
• (story embellished to become implausible): myth, tall tale
• (leading protagonist): hero
• (person of extraordinary 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

• lege
• legendary

legend (third-person singular simple present legends, present participle legending, simple past and past participle legended)

1. (archaic, transitive) To tell or narrate; to recount.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Bishop Hall to this entry?)

• legend in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• legend in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

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legend

1. present participle of legen

• gelden, gleden, legden

legend

1. Present participle of legen.

legend

1. genitive plural of legenda

From Medieval Latin legenda

• IPA^(key): /le.ɡend/, [lə.ˈɡɛnd]

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legend c

1. legend

legend in Svenska Akademiens ordbok online.