n. 1 a a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated; a myth. b such stories collectively. c a popular but unfounded belief. d colloq. a subject of such beliefs (became a legend in his own lifetime). 2 a an inscription, esp. on a coin or medal. b Printing a caption. c wording on a map etc. explaining the symbols used. 3 hist. a the story of a saint's life. b a collection of lives of saints or similar stories. legendry n.
[ ME (in sense 3) f. OF legende f. med.L legenda what is to be read, neut. pl. gerundive of L legere read ]