/ ˈledʒənd; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C , U ] a story from ancient times about people and events, that may or may not be true; this type of story
SYN myth :
the legend of Robin Hood
the heroes of Greek legend
Legend has it that the lake was formed by the tears of a god.
—compare urban myth
2.
[ C ] a very famous person, especially in a particular field, who is admired by other people :
a jazz / tennis, etc. legend
She was a legend in her own lifetime .
Many of golf's living legends were playing.
3.
[ C ] ( technical ) the explanation of a map or a diagram in a book
SYN key
4.
[ C ] ( formal ) a piece of writing on a sign, a label, a coin, etc.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense story of a saint's life ): from Old French legende , from medieval Latin legenda things to be read, from Latin legere read. Sense 1 dates from the early 17th cent.