• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

leg·a·tee noun : a person to whom a legacy is bequeathed

le·ga·tion noun 1 : a diplomatic mission headed by a minister

2 : the official residence and office of a minister in a foreign country

le·ga·to adverb or adjective [ORIGIN: It, lit., tied]

: in a smooth and connected manner (as of music)

leg·end noun [ORIGIN: ME legende, fr. MF & ML; MF legende, fr. ML legenda, fr. L legere to read]

1 a : a story coming down from the past; especially : one popularly accepted as historical though not verifiable

b : a body of popular stories

2 : an inscription on an object; also : CAPTION

3 : an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart

Synonyms

folklore, lore, myth, mythology, tradition—more at FOLKLORE

leg·end·ary adjective 1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of a legend

2 : FAMOUS

— leg·en·dari·ly adverb

Synonyms

fabled, fabulous, mythical—more at MYTHICAL

leg·er·de·main noun [ORIGIN: ME, fr. MF leger de main light of hand]

1 : SLEIGHT OF HAND

2 a : skill and dexterity in conjuring tricks

b : adroitness in deception

leg·ging or leg·gin noun : a covering for the leg; also : TIGHTS

leg·gy adjective leg·gi·er; -est 1 : having unusually long legs

2 : having long and attractive legs

3 : SPINDLY — used of a plant

leg·horn noun 1 : a fine plaited straw; also : a hat made of this straw

2 : any of a Mediterranean breed of small hardy chickens

leg·i·ble adjective : capable of being read : CLEAR

— leg·i·bil·i·ty noun

— leg·i·bly adverb

1legion noun 1 : a unit of the Roman army comprising 3000 to 6000 soldiers

2 : a very large number : MULTITUDE

3 : an association of ex-servicemen

4 : a large military force

Synonyms

[2] army, crowd, crush, drove, flock, horde, host, mob, multitude, press, swarm, throng—more at CROWD

[4] army, battalion, host—more at ARMY

2legion adjective : MANY, NUMEROUS

le·gion·ary noun : LEGIONNAIRE

le·gion·naire noun : a member of a legion

Synonyms

fighter, man-at-arms, regular, serviceman, soldier, warrior—more at SOLDIER

Legionnaires' disease also Legionnaire's disease noun : a lobar pneumonia caused by a bacterium

legis abbreviation legislation; legislative; legislature

leg·is·late verb -lat·ed; -lat·ing : to make or enact laws; also : to bring about by legislation

Synonyms

enact, lay down, make, pass—more at ENACT

leg·is·la·tion noun 1 : the action of legislating

2 : laws made by a legislative body

leg·is·la·tive adjective 1 : having the power of legislating

2 : of or relating to a legislature or legislation

leg·is·la·tor noun : one that makes laws esp. for a political unit; especially : a member of a legislative body

Synonyms

lawmaker, solon; also assemblyman, assemblywoman; congressman, congresswoman; senator

leg·is·la·ture noun : an organized body of persons having the authority to make laws

le·git adjective, slang

: LEGITIMATE

1legitimate adjective 1 : lawfully begotten

2 : GENUINE

3 : LAWFUL

4 : conforming to recognized principles or accepted rules or standards

— le·git·i·ma·cy noun

— le·git·i·mate·ly adverb

2legitimate verb -mat·ed; -mat·ing : to make legitimate

le·git·i·mise British variant of LEGITIMIZE

le·git·i·mize verb -mized; -miz·ing : LEGITIMATE

leg·man noun 1 : a reporter assigned usu. to gather information

2 : an assistant who gathers information and runs errands

le·gume noun [ORIGIN: F]

1 : any of a large family of plants having fruits that are dry pods and split when ripe and including important food and forage plants (as beans and clover); also : the part (as seeds or pods) of a legume used as food

2 : the pod of a legume

— le·gu·mi·nous adjective

1lei noun : a wreath or necklace usu. of flowers

lei·sure noun 1 : freedom provided by the cessation of activities; also : time free from work or duties

2 : EASE; also : CONVENIENCE

Synonyms

ease, relaxation, repose, rest—more at REST

1leisurely adjective : characterized by slowness

2leisurely adverb : without haste

leit·mo·tif