English

Proper noun

Legend

1. A male given name

English

Noun

legend ‎(plural legends)

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, or a plausible character, 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 leading protagonist in a historical legend.

   Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.

5. A person of extraordinary accomplishment.

   Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.

6. 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.

7. 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.
8. 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.

9. (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.

Synonyms

• (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

Derived terms

Related terms

• lege
• legendary

Translations

Verb

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?)

External links

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

Dutch

Pronunciation

Participle

legend

1. present participle of legen

Declension

Anagrams

• gelden, gleden, legden

German

Verb

legend

1. Present participle of legen.