What does legend mean?

Definitions for legend
ˈlɛdʒ əndleg·end

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word legend.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. legend, fablenoun

    a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

  2. caption, legendnoun

    brief description accompanying an illustration

Wiktionary

  1. legendnoun

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

    The legend of Troy was discovered to have historical basis.

  2. legendnoun

    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.

  3. legendnoun

    A leading protagonist in a historical legend.

    Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.

  4. legendnoun

    A person of extraordinary accomplishment.

    Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.

  5. legendnoun

    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.

  6. legendnoun

    The text on a coin.

  7. legendnoun

    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.

  8. legendnoun

    A worthy friend.

    Cheers mate for fixing my car: you're a legend.

  9. Etymology: From legende, from legende, from legenda, neuter plural of the future passive participle of legere.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Legendnoun

    Etymology: legenda, Latin.

    Legends being grown in a manner to be nothing else but heaps of frivolous and scandalous vanities, they have been even with disdain thrown out, the very nests which bred them abhorring them. Richard Hooker, b. v.

    There are in Rome two sets of antiquities, the christian and the heathen; the former, though of a fresher date, are so embroiled with fable and legend, that one receives but little satisfaction. Joseph Addison, Remarks on Italy.

    And in this legend all that glorious deed
    Read, whilst you arm you; arm you whilst you read. Edward Fairfax, b. i.

    Who can show the legends, that record
    More idle tales, or fables so absurd. Richard Blackmore.

    It is the way and means of attaining to heaven, that makes profane scorners so willingly let go the expectation of it. It is not the articles of the creed, but the duty to God and their neighbour, that is such an inconsistent incredible legend. Richard Bentley, Sermons.

    Compare the beauty and comprehensiveness of legends on ancient coins. Joseph Addison, on Medals.

Wikipedia

  1. Legend

    A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions, believed or perceived, both by teller and listeners, to have taken place in human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude. Legend, for its active and passive participants may include miracles. Legends may be transformed over time to keep them fresh and vital. Many legends operate within the realm of uncertainty, never being entirely believed by the participants, but also never being resolutely doubted. Legends are sometimes distinguished from myths in that they concern human beings as the main characters rather than gods, and sometimes in that they have some sort of historical basis whereas myths generally do not. The Brothers Grimm defined legend as "folktale historically grounded". A by-product of the "concern with human beings" is the long list of legendary creatures, leaving no "resolute doubt" that legends are "historically grounded." A modern folklorist's professional definition of legend was proposed by Timothy R. Tangherlini in 1990: Legend, typically, is a short (mono-) episodic, traditional, highly ecotypified historicized narrative performed in a conversational mode, reflecting on a psychological level a symbolic representation of folk belief and collective experiences and serving as a reaffirmation of commonly held values of the group to whose tradition it belongs.

ChatGPT

  1. legend

    A legend is a traditional or historical story or narrative that is passed down through generations, typically involving heroic characters, extraordinary events, or mythical creatures. Legends often possess symbolic or metaphorical elements and may serve to teach or explain beliefs, customs, or cultural traditions within a particular society or community. They can be found in various forms such as folktales, myths, epics, or religious texts, and are often held in high regard and cherished as part of a cultural heritage.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Legendnoun

    that which is appointed to be read; especially, a chronicle or register of the lives of saints, formerly read at matins, and in the refectories of religious houses

  2. Legendnoun

    a story respecting saints; especially, one of a marvelous nature

  3. Legendnoun

    any wonderful story coming down from the past, but not verifiable by historical record; a myth; a fable

  4. Legendnoun

    an inscription, motto, or title, esp. one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon an heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration

  5. Legendverb

    to tell or narrate, as a legend

  6. Etymology: [OE. legende, OF. legende, F. lgende, LL. legenda, fr. L. legendus to be read, fr. legere to read, gather; akin to Gr. le`gein to gather, speak. Cf. Collect, Dialogue, Lesson, Logic.]

Wikidata

  1. Legend

    A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude. Legend, for its active and passive participants includes no happenings that are outside the realm of "possibility", defined by a highly flexible set of parameters, which may include miracles that are perceived as actually having happened, within the specific tradition of indoctrination where the legend arises, and within which it may be transformed over time, in order to keep it fresh and vital, and realistic. A majority of legends operate within the realm of uncertainty, never being entirely believed by the participants, but also never being resolutely doubted. The Brothers Grimm defined legend as folktale historically grounded. A modern folklorist's professional definition of legend was proposed by Timothy R. Tangherlini in 1990: Legend, typically, is a short episodic, traditional, highly ecotypified historicized narrative performed in a conversational mode, reflecting on a psychological level a symbolic representation of folk belief and collective experiences and serving as a reaffirmation of commonly held values of the group to whose tradition it belongs."

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Legend

    lej′end, or lē′-, n. a marvellous story from early times: the motto on a coat of arms, medal, or coin: an inscription of any kind: a musical composition set to a poetical story.—n. Leg′endary, a book of legends: one who relates legends: (pl.) a chronicle of the lives of saints.—adj. consisting of legends: romantic: fabulous.—n. Leg′endist, a writer of legends.—Golden legend (see Golden). [Fr.,—Low L. legenda, a book of chronicles of the saints read at matins—L. legenduslegĕre, to read.]

Editors Contribution

  1. legendnoun

    The author forming names of appliances or instrumenting another name for mythology in definite date of data. 1.) A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated. 2.) An extremely famous or notorious person, in a particular field. 3.) An inscription on a coin or medal. A caption.

    The Most High legend carries the glorious stories at hand.

    Etymology: Heroes


    Submitted by Tony_Elyon on November 8, 2023  

Suggested Resources

  1. legend

    Song lyrics by legend -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by legend on the Lyrics.com website.

Etymology and Origins

  1. Legend

    An Americanism for a written or printed notice. The term has latterly come into use in England relative to a tradesman’s shop announcement.

Matched Categories

British National Corpus

  1. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'legend' in Nouns Frequency: #2124

How to pronounce legend?

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of legend in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of legend in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of legend in a Sentence

  1. Mike Richards:

    Alex was a legend, revered by all of us, i want to thank our guest hosts, who will not only help all of us celebrate his great legacy, but also bring their own touch to the show.

  2. John Stephenson:

    OR-7 is a legend.

  3. Spencer Madrie:

    You wish somebody like that could go on forever and be this lifelong legend, you don’t ever consider somebody like that passing, even though her legacy will last for generations after.

  4. The Warriors:

    It's another opportunity for kids in Oakland, obviously, Gary is a Hall of Famer, Oakland legend and I think the kids will respect that. Everybody in the basketball community in Oakland admires Gary. He knows what he's talking about, he knows what he's doing, so I'm excited to see what happens up there. It's just another opportunity for kids in Oakland to follow their dreams. If it's not with basketball, opportunities in the classroom around the game. Hopefully, it goes well.

  5. The NBA:

    We are stunned and deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer Moses Malone, an NBA legend gone far too soon.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

legend#1#4042#10000

Translations for legend

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"legend." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/legend>.

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