legend

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈledʒ.ənd/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English legende, borrowed from Old French legende and directly from Medieval Latin legenda (“things to be read”),^[2][3][4] the neuter plural gerundive of Latin legere “to read, gather, select”, taken as a feminine singular,^[2][5] from Proto-Indo-European *leg- (“to collect, gather”).^[2] The stories of saints' lives were read at matins and in the refectories of religious houses.^[2] It is related to lecture, lesson, legible and logic.^[6][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

A collection of saints' lives: about 1340 in the OED.^[7] The story of a saint's life is from about 1375 in the OED, probably before 1325 in Barnhart.^[7][3]

Semantic evolution

A story or account in general is from about 1385, now obsolete.^[7] A non-historical or mythical story is first recorded in 1386 according to Barnhart, the late 14th century in Etymonline,^[3][2] while the OED and Word Origins date a traditional story popularly regarded as historical to the early 17th century (1613).^[7][6] A book of readings for church services is from about 1440.^[7] An inscription, especially on a coin or medal, is from Cotgrave's dictionary in 1611,^[3][7][2] and the key to a map or illustration from 1903.^[2] A legend in one's own time is from 1958.^[2] Legendary is from 1563–87.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 1340 – a collection of saints' lives.^[7]
• c. 1375 – the life of a saint.^[7]
• 1386 – a mythical story.^[3]
• 1611 – an inscription.^[3][7]
• 1903 – the key to a map.^[2]
• 1958 – a legend in one's own time.^[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. An old story handed down from the past, often believed to be historical but not proved.
2. Such stories as a group.
3. A very famous person, especially in a particular field.
4. An inscription, as on a coin or medal.
5. A key explaining the symbols on a map or chart.

Word family

• legendist
• legendize
• legendry
• urban legend

Related words

• legendary
• lecture
• lesson
• legible

Usage notes

Legend and legendary are now often used of any person or achievement whose fame seems likely to last, even when it comes from the media rather than from tradition, and the AHD notes that some critics object to this looser use.^[8]

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
4. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b Cresswell, Julia (2021), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
8. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin