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n. 1. a. An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical. b. A body or collection of such stories. c. See urban legend. 2. One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame: She is a legend in her own time. 3. a. An inscription or title on an object, such as a coin. b. An explanatory caption accompanying an illustration. c. An explanatory table or list of the symbols appearing on a map or chart. [Middle English, from Old French legende, from Medieval Latin (lēctiō) legenda, (lesson) to be read, from Latin, feminine gerundive of legere, to read; see leg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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