leg
Pronunciation: /lɛg/
noun
- 1each of the limbs on which a person or animal walks and stands: Adams broke his leg he was off as fast as his legs would carry him
- a leg of an animal or bird as food: a roast leg of lamb
- a part of a garment covering a leg or part of a leg: his trouser leg
- (legs) informal (with reference to a ball, especially in golf) sufficient momentum to reach the desired point.
- (legs) informal (with reference to a product or idea) sustained popularity or success: some books have legs, others don’t
- 3a section or stage of a journey or process: the return leg of his journey
- Sailing a run made on a single tack: an important part of the upwind leg
- (in soccer and other sports) each of two games constituting a round of a competition: they were defending a 3-0 lead from the first leg
- a section of a relay or other race done in stages: one leg of its race round the globe
- a single game in a darts match: he took the first leg with 7 darts
- 5 (also leg side) Cricket the half of the field (as divided lengthways through the pitch) away from which the batsman’s feet are pointed when standing to receive the ball: he played a lucky stroke to legThe opposite of off.
verb ( legs, legging, legged)
Phrases
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feel (or find) one's legs
- become able to stand or walk.
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get one's leg over
- British vulgar slang (of a man) have sexual intercourse.
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have the legs of
- British be able to go faster or further than (a rival): he should have the legs of his eight rivals here
-
not have a leg to stand on
- have no facts or sound reasons to support one’s argument or justify one’s actions.
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on one's hind legs
- British informal, dated standing up to make a speech: he wasn’t afraid to get up on his hind legs at a social gathering and talk
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on one's last legs
- near the end of life, usefulness, or existence: the foundry business was on its last legs
Origin:
Middle English (superseding shank): from Old Norse leggr (compare with Danish læg 'calf (of the leg)'), of Germanic origin