legend
legend Lexical Profile
legend Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A traditional story handed down from earlier times, often popularly regarded as historical or based on real people and events, though not authenticated.
"According to local legend, the ancient castle was built in a single night by giants."
An extremely famous, admired, or notorious person who has achieved iconic status in a particular field or activity.
"After winning her seventh championship title, she was universally hailed as a tennis legend."
An explanatory table, list, or caption accompanying a map, chart, or diagram that explains the symbols, colors, or scale used.
"Check the legend at the bottom of the map to see which symbol represents a train station."
An inscription, motto, or title engraved on a coin, medal, or monument.
"The weathered silver coin still bore a faint Latin legend around the monarch's profile."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used interchangeably with 'myth', a legend is traditionally rooted in historical people or real places and embellished over time, whereas a myth typically involves supernatural deities and explains cosmic or natural origins.
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'legende', borrowed from Old French and Medieval Latin 'legenda', meaning 'things to be read', originally referring to accounts of saints' lives read aloud during church services, from Latin 'legere' ('to read').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.