LEGEND

caption, legend

(noun) brief description accompanying an illustration

legend, fable

(noun) a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

legend (countable and uncountable, plural legends)

An unrealistic story depicting past events.

A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.

A plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain.

A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.

A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records; a cover story.

A person related to a legend or legends.

A leading protagonist in a historical legend.

A person with legend-like qualities, such as extraordinary accomplishment.

(UK, Irish, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial, slang) A cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male.

A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.

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.

A musical composition set to a poetical story.

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

Verb

legend (third-person singular simple present legends, present participle legending, simple past and past participle legended)

(archaic, transitive) To tell or narrate; to recount.

Etymology

Proper noun

Legend

A male given name

Source: Wiktionary

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Leg"end, n. Etym: [OE. legende, OF. legende, F. légende, LL. legenda, fr. L. legendus to be read, fr. legere to read, gather; akin to Gr. Collect, Dialogue, Lesson, Logic.]

1. That which is appointed to be read; especially, a chronicle or register of the lives of saints, formerly read at matins, and in the refectories of religious houses.

2. A story respecting saints; especially, one of a marvelous nature. Addison.

3. Any wonderful story coming down from the past, but not verifiable by historical record; a myth; a fable. And in this legend all that glorious deed. Read, whilst you arm you. Fairfax.

4. An inscription, motto, or title, esp. one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon an heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration. Golden legend. See under Golden.

Leg"end, v. t.

Definition: To tell or narrate, as a legend. Bp. Hall.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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