legend

Etymology

From Middle English legende, from Old French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda (“a legend, story, especially the lives of the saints”), from Latin legenda (“things which ought to be read”), from lego (“I read”).

noun

1. An unrealistic story depicting past events.
   1. A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.
      The legend of Troy was discovered to have a historical basis.
   2. A plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain.
      the legend of Robin Hood
   3. A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.
      The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends. Here's the real story.
   4. A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records.
      According to his legend, he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.
      If the documents are needed to establish "a light legend," meaning a superficial cover story, no steps are taken to make sure that if someone calls the college or motor vehicle department, the name on the document will be registered. 1992, Ronald Kessler, Inside the CIA, Pocket Books, published 1994, page 115
      Sorge solidified his own position by returning to Germany and developing a new legend. He joined the Nazi Party[…]. 2003, Rodney Carlisle, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Spies and Espionage, Alpha Books, page 105
      Both the agent's legend and documents were intended to stand up against casual questions from Soviet citizens, such as during a job interview, or a routine police document check, such as were made at railway stations. 2005, Curtis Peebles, Twilight Warriors, Naval Institute Press, page 25
2. A person related to a legend or legends.
   1. A leading protagonist in a historical legend.
      Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.
   2. A person with legend-like qualities, such as extraordinary accomplishment.
      Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.
      1. (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial, slang) A cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male.
         I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend.
3. A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.
   According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.
4. (numismatics, heraldry) An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.
5. A musical composition set to a poetical story.
6. (naval) The design and specification of a vessel.
   The legend displacement on the basis then in use was 48,000 tons, the corresponding standard displacement as defined by the Washington Treaty being 47,540 tons. 1929, Journal of the American Society of Naval Engineers, Inc, page 304
   The legend and sketch designs were submitted to the Board on 27th March 1916 and, after examining a model and the drawings, the Sea Lords generally favoured proposal 'B'; the extra weight involved being acceptable. 1976, Alan Raven, John Roberts, British Battleships of World War Two: The Development and Technical History of the Royal Navy's Battleships and Battlecruisers from 1911 to 1946, page 63

verb

1. (archaic, transitive) To tell or narrate; to recount.
   Nor ladie's wanton love , nor wand'ring knight, Legend I out in rymes all richly dight