— legless , adj. — leglike , adj.
/leg/ , n. , v. , legged, legging .
n.
1. either of the two lower limbs of a biped, as a human being, or any of the paired limbs of an animal, arthropod, etc., that support and move the body.
2. Anat. the lower limb of a human being from the knee to the ankle.
3. something resembling or suggesting a leg in use, position, or appearance.
4. the part of a garment that covers the leg: the leg of a stocking; trouser leg.
5. one of usually several, relatively tall, slender supports for a piece of furniture.
6. one of the sides of a forked object, as of a compass or pair of dividers.
7. one of the sides of a triangle other than the base or hypotenuse.
8. a timber, bar, or the like, serving to prop or shore up a structure.
9. one of the flanges of an angle iron.
10. one of the distinct sections of any course: the last leg of a trip.
11. Naut.
a. one of the series of straight runs that make up the zigzag course of a sailing ship.
b. one straight or nearly straight part of a multiple-sided course in a sailing race.
12. Sports.
a. one of a designated number of contests that must be successfully completed in order to determine the winner.
b. one of the stretches or sections of a relay race.
13. legs , (in wine tasting) the rivulets of wine that slowly descend along the inside of a glass after the wine has been swirled, sometimes regarded as an indication that the wine is full-bodied.
14. Cricket.
a. the part of the field to the left of and behind the batsman as he faces the bowler or to the right of and behind him if he is left-handed.
b. the fielder playing this part of the field.
c. the position of this fielder.
15. Elect. a component or branch of a circuit, network, antenna, etc.
16. Radio and Television. a connecting link between stations in a network, as the microwave relays used in transmitting a show from one geographical area to another.
17. bride 2 (def. 1).
18. leg up ,
a. a means of help or encouragement; assist; boost: Studying the material with a tutor will give you a leg up on passing the exam.
b. advantage; edge.
19. not have a leg to stand on , to lack a valid or logical basis for one's argument or attitude: Without evidence, the prosecutor doesn't have a leg to stand on.
20. on one's or its last legs , just short of exhaustion, breakdown, failure, etc.: The aristocracy was on its last legs.
21. pull someone's leg ,
a. to make fun of someone; tease.
b. to deceive someone; trick someone.
22. shake a leg , Informal.
a. to hurry up.
b. Older Use. to dance.
23. stretch one's legs , to take a walk; get some needed exercise after prolonged sitting: He got up during the intermission to stretch his legs.
v.t.
24. to move or propel (a boat) with the legs: They legged the boat through the tunnel.
25. leg it , Informal. to walk rapidly or run: We'd better leg it or we'll be late for class.
26. leg up , to help (someone) to mount a horse.
[ 1225-75; 1915-20 for def. 10; ME leggr ]