legend English · revision 5297

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=la-med legenda}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈledʒ.ənd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|legende]], [[bor|fro|legende]] and directly from [[la-med|legenda|t=things to be read]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) the neuter plural gerundive of Latin legere “to read, gather, select”, taken as a feminine singular,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[ine-pro|*leǵ-|alt=*leg-|t=to collect, gather]].^(Etymonline) The stories of saints' lives were read at matins and in the refectories of religious houses.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[lecture]], [[lesson]], [[legible]] and [[logic]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A collection of saints' lives: about 1340 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The story of a saint's life is from about 1375 in the OED, probably before 1325 in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A story or account in general is from about 1385, now obsolete.^(OED 1989) A non-historical or mythical story is first recorded in 1386 according to Barnhart, the late 14th century in Etymonline,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) while the OED and Word Origins date a traditional story popularly regarded as historical to the early 17th century (1613).^(OED 1989)^(Cresswell 2021) A book of readings for church services is from about 1440.^(OED 1989) An inscription, especially on a coin or medal, is from Cotgrave's dictionary in 1611,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the key to a map or illustration from 1903.^(Etymonline) ''A legend in one's own time'' is from 1958.^(Etymonline) ''Legendary'' is from 1563–87.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – a collection of saints' lives.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1375 – the life of a saint.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1386 – a mythical story.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1611 – an inscription.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1903 – the key to a map.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1958 – ''a legend in one's own time''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An old story handed down from the past, often believed to be historical but not proved.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Such stories as a group.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A very famous person, especially in a particular field.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An [[inscription]], as on a coin or medal.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A key explaining the symbols on a map or chart.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==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.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}