leg: Meaning and Definition of

leg

Pronunciation: (leg), [key]
— n., v., legged, leg•ging.
—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. 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.
    1. one of the series of straight runs that make up the zigzag course of a sailing ship.
    2. one straight or nearly straight part of a multiple-sided course in a sailing race.
    1. one of a designated number of contests that must be successfully completed in order to determine the winner.
    2. one of the stretches or sections of a relay race.
  11. (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.
    1. 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.
    2. the fielder playing this part of the field.
    3. the position of this fielder.
  12. a component or branch of a circuit, network, antenna, etc.
  13. a connecting link between stations in a network, as the microwave relays used in transmitting a show from one geographical area to another.
  14. bride (def. 1).
  15. Studying the material with a tutor will give you a leg up on passing the exam.
    1. a means of help or encouragement; assist; boost:Studying the material with a tutor will give you a leg up on passing the exam.
    2. advantage; edge.
  16. 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.
  17. just short of exhaustion, breakdown, failure, etc.: The aristocracy was on its last legs.
    1. to make fun of someone; tease.
    2. to deceive someone; trick someone.
    1. to hurry up.
    2. Older Use.to dance.
  18. to take a walk; get some needed exercise after prolonged sitting: He got up during the intermission to stretch his legs.
—v.t.
  1. to move or propel (a boat) with the legs: They legged the boat through the tunnel.
  2. to walk rapidly or run: We'd better leg it or we'll be late for class.
  3. to help (someone) to mount a horse.

leg.

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. legal.
  2. legate.
  3. legato.
  4. legend.
  5. legislation.
  6. legislative.
  7. legislature.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also:
  • leg (Thesaurus)