Legend

Legend

Noun / Adjective · /ˈledʒ.ənd/

Definition

(Noun) a traditional story from the past, typically about a historical or semi-historical figure, presented as true but unverifiable; an extremely famous or celebrated person; an inscription on a coin, map, or diagram; (Adjective, informal) extraordinary, amazing, deserving legendary status.

Origin

From Old French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda (a thing to be read, a saint's life for liturgical reading), from Latin legere (to read, to choose). The key of a map was called a legend because it was 'read' to interpret the symbols. The famous-person sense developed from the traditional story sense in the 20th century.