Nearby Words
noun
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.
Anatomy. 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.
EXPANDone 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.
Nautical.
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.
Electricity. 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.
COLLAPSEbride2 (def. 1).
verb (used with object)
18.
to move or propel (a boat) with the legs: They legged the boat through the tunnel.
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On one's last legs
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
19.
Idiomsleg up, to help (someone) to mount a horse.
20.
leg it, Informal. to walk rapidly or run: We'd better leg it or we'll be late for class.
21.
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.
22.
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.
23.
on one's/its last legs, just short of exhaustion, breakdown, failure, etc.: The aristocracy was on its last legs.
24.
EXPANDpull someone's leg,
a.
to make fun of someone; tease.
b.
to deceive someone; trick someone.
25.
shake a leg, Informal.
a.
to hurry up.
b.
Older Use. to dance.
26.
COLLAPSEstretch one's legs, to take a walk; get some needed exercise after prolonged sitting: He got up during the intermission to stretch his legs.
Origin:
1225–75; 1915–20 for def. 10; Middle English < Old Norse leggr
1225–75; 1915–20 for def. 10; Middle English < Old Norse leggr
Related forms
leg·less, adjective
leg·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To on one's last legs
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
leg
c.1275, from O.N. leggr "leg, bone," from P.Gmc. *lagjaz. Replaced O.E. shank. The meaning "a part or stage of a journey or race" (1920) is from earlier sailing sense of "a run made on a single tack" (1867), which was usually qualified as long leg, short leg, etc. Leg-work (1891) was originally news
EXPAND reporter's slang for an assignment that produced more walking than text. Slang phrase shake a leg "dance" is attested from 1881. To be on (one's) last legs "at the end of one's life" is from 1599. Legging "extra outer covering to protect the leg" first recorded 1763. Leg-warmer is first attested 1974. Leg up "aid, boost" is from 1837.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
leg (lěg)
n.
One of the two lower limbs of the human body, especially the part between the knee and the foot.
A supporting part resembling a leg in shape or function.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Slang Dictionary
on (one's) last legs definitionand on its last legs
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Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
on one's last legs
Extremely tired, close to collapsing, as in We've been cleaning house all day and I'm on my last legs. This hyperbolic expression originally meant "close to dying," and in John Ray's 1678 proverb collection it was transferred to being bankrupt. Soon afterward it was applied to the end of one's resources, physical or otherwise. It is sometimes applied to things, as in That furnace is on its last legs.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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