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单词 leg
释义

legn.

Brit. /lɛɡ/, U.S. /lɛɡ/
Forms: Middle English leggue, Middle English leghe, Middle English leyg, Middle English lige, Middle English lyg, Middle English–1600s lege, Middle English–1600s legge, Middle English–1700s legg, Middle English– leg, 1500s leige; also Scottish pre-1700 lag, pre-1700 lige, pre-1700 ligge, pre-1700 lyg, pre-1700 lyge, pre-1700 1900s– laig, pre-1700 (1900s– north-eastern) leig, 1700s lage, 1700s leag, 1800s league (north-eastern), 1800s– leeg, 1800s liag (north-eastern), 1900s– lig, 1900s– (north-eastern) lyag; U.S. regional (chiefly southern and south Midland) 1800s– laig, 1900s– lag.
Origin: A borrowing from early Scandinavian.
Etymology: < early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic leggr leg, (in compounds) limb, extremity (Icelandic leggur calf of the leg), Old Swedish lägger leg (Swedish lägg calf of the leg), Old Danish leg , læg calf of the leg (Danish læg )), apparently < the same Indo-European base as Langobardic lagi thigh, probably < the same Indo-European base as Greek λακτίζειν to kick, classical Latin lacertus arm. The continental West Germanic languages, as well as the modern Scandinavian languages, use cognates of bone n.1 to denote the lower limb of the human body.Specific senses. In sense 3a after the corresponding use of Anglo-Norman jaumbe, Anglo-Norman and Middle French jambe leg (see jamb n.); compare gamb n. In sense 3b short for leg dollar n. at Compounds 2a. In sense 11 ultimately after the corresponding use of ancient Greek σκέλος (see scelides n.). Although quot. 1864 at sense 16 appears to suggest an Italian model for the specific use in lacemaking, no supporting evidence for this suggestion has been found, and dictionaries of Italian do not record either gamba leg (see jamb n.) nor any of its derivatives in a similar sense. In sense 19 short for blackleg n. In legs eleven n. at Compounds 2a, and hence in sense 17, apparently with allusion to the resemblance of the number 11 to the shape of a pair of legs. Use as surname. Earlier currency appears to be implied by use as surname (frequent from the second half of the 12th cent.), e.g. Edwardus Leg (1168), John Leg (1221), Nicholaus Legge (1294), etc.
I. The lower limb of the human body, and related senses.
1.
a. The lower limb of the human body, or the part of the lower limb between the hip and the ankle. Also spec. (Anatomy): the part of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle (in ordinary use called the lower leg, the part from the hip to the knee being distinguished as the thigh or upper leg).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > leg > [noun]
shanka900
legc1300
grainsa1400
limbc1400
foot?a1425
stumpa1500
pin?1515
pestlea1529
boughc1550
stamp1567
understander1583
pile1584
supporters1601
walker?1611
trestle1612
fetlock1645
pedestal1695
drumstick1770
gam1785
timber1807
tram1808–18
fork1812
prop1817
nethers1822
forkals1828
understanding1828
stick1830
nether person1835
locomotive1836
nether man1846
underpinning1848
bender1849
Scotch peg1857
Scotch1859
under-pinner1859
stem1860
Coryate's compasses1864
peg1891
wheel1927
shaft1935
c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 940 Hii soten hire legges [c1275 Calig. sconken].
c1300 St. Cuthbert (Laud) l. 50 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 360 (MED) He bi-heold and handlede þane sore leg ase þei he leche were.
c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) 1807 Darrie from hym þe table shett, Þat it wendeþ in þe flett; He þroweþ legges [a1425 Linc. Inn drawiþ leg] ouere oþer, And makeþ þretynges.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 5473 Wormes As large as a mans lege.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 238/2 Legge fro the kne to the fote.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 115v If wee assaye to take vp a thing from the ground, stryding, and not with our legges together, wee take it vp with more ease and strength.
1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) ii. sig. E4v My legge is not goutie.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 512 His Leggs entwining Each other..down he fell A monstrous Serpent. View more context for this quotation
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 91. ⁋4 He ran over, with a laughing Eye, Crastin's thin Legs, meagre Looks, and spare Body.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World ii. 58 My third Lieutenant, broke his leg by a slide on the deck.
1833 Atkinson's Casket Feb. 69/2 The tailor sat on the bench, with his legs akimbo.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Grandmother iii, in Enoch Arden, etc. 115 ‘Here's a leg for a babe of a week!’ says doctor.
1914 Independent (N.Y.) 19 Jan. 105/1 We have pictures of the battlefield..and the dolorous year-long waiting in the hospital bed for the mending arm or leg.
1954 K. B. Roberts in H. W. Florey Lect. Gen. Pathol. xxxiii. 620 Milroy's disease..affects one or both legs, appears at birth or in childhood and last throughout life.
2014 Hot 1 Mar. 16/1 Uh-oh, it appears not everyone is a fan of the Duchess of Cambridge's toned legs.
b. spec. In plural, with reference to the use of the legs (sense 1a) in standing, walking, running, etc. Cf. leg v. 1. See also specific phrases in the Phrases section, e.g. to keep one's legs at Phrases 3h, to take (also †betake) (†oneself) to one's legs at Phrases 3l.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports
staffc1000
hold1042
source1359
legc1380
shorer1393
stabilimenta1398
upholder1398
sustentationa1400
undersetterc1400
bearinga1425
undersettinga1425
suppowellc1430
triclinec1440
sustentaclec1451
supportera1475
sustainerc1475
sustenal1483
stayc1515
buttress1535
underpinning1538
firmament1554
countenance1565
support1570
appuia1573
comfort1577
hypostasis1577
underpropping1586
porter1591
supportation1593
supportance1597
understaya1603
bearer1607
rest1609
upsetter1628
mountinga1630
sustent1664
underlay1683
holdfast1706
abutment1727
suppeditor1728
mount1739
monture1746
bed1793
appoggiatura1833
bracing1849
bench1850
under-pinner1859
bolster-piece1860
sustainer1873
table mount1923
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1369 By þe legges lifte he þe schrewe þan & schef hur out ech del.
c1450 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 72 And at revell for to se yow hoppe, Ys joy y-now so ye your lyggys streyne.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour ii. xii. sig. T He was inforced to kepe his bedde, beinge for lacke of slepe and other naturall sustenaunce: brought in suche feblenesse, that his legges mougt nat sustayne his body.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ii. 5 Vse your legges, take the start, runne away. View more context for this quotation
1640 R. Brome Antipodes sig. C3 Doct. Mandevile went farre. Per. Beyond all English legges that I can read of.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. vii. vii. 51 I thank Heaven my Legs are very able to carry me. View more context for this quotation
1847 G. P. R. James John Marston Hall ix Some of them fled as fast as their legs would carry them.
1867 S. W. Baker Nile Tributaries Abyssinia xi. 287 He would rather trust to his legs.
1934 Scotsman 29 May 14 The first bullet whistled past Bateman and the second one got me. I felt a sharp stinging pain, and somehow my legs gave way beneath me.
2011 Times (Nexis) 9 May 41 My wife and I took our eldest son to the playground this week and saw a toddler there who seemed unsteady on his legs.
c. Each of the organs of support and locomotion in an animal body, as any of the limbs of a quadruped, either of the hind limbs of a bird, or any of the locomotory appendages of an arthropod.The limbs of a quadruped may be distinguished as forelegs and hindlegs.
ΚΠ
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xii. xxv. 633 Locusta..haþ longe legges... And here hinder legges beþ longer þan here furþere legges.
a1450 St. Edith (Faust.) (1883) l. 3769 (MED) Sire Brytric hadde a gode horse..& for he was ȝong, & bothe wylde & leyȝt, He hadde y-fedryde to-gedur his leygus two.
c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f.83v (MED) Waische his heed wiþ þe watir in þe whiche þe feet and þe leggis of a weþir ben soden.
1522 Accts. St. John's Hosp., Canterbury (Canterbury Cathedral Archives: CCA-U13/4) For the dyner of iij men that holp slyng and lyft the cow that broke her legg.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iv. ii. 101 All the water in the Ocean, Can neuer turne the swans blacke legs to white. View more context for this quotation
1649 Perfect Occurr. Parl. No. 142. 1267 One browne Mare with a starre in her fore-head, three white feet, splinters on both legges, trots altogether.
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 122 Crustaceous..having generally eight legs, besides..two or more annulated horns or feelers.
1752 Philos. Trans. 1749–50 (Royal Soc.) 46 538 A Bee loading the Farina, Bee-Bread, or crude Wax, upon its Legs.
1773 G. White Let. 9 Dec. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 164 The black-faced poll-sheep have the shortest legs.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xix. 190 ‘What's the matter with the dogs' legs?’ whispered Mr. Winkle.
1896 A. Newton et al. Dict. Birds: Pt. IV at Stork Its contrasted plumage..with its bright red bill and legs, makes it a conspicuous and beautiful object.
1925 N. Dyalhis in Weird Tales Apr. 6/2 As I blundered full upon the monstrosity it upheaved its ugly bulk—how I do not know, for I saw no legs nor did it have wings.
1971 R. F. Harwood in R. E. Pfadt Fund. Appl. Entomol. (ed. 2) ii. 37 Insect legs are constructed on a basic plan derived from seven segments, with only five clearly apparent.
2012 Your Chickens Apr. 47/3 Its powerful bone structure and well-muscled body and legs..make it an impressive and striking bird.
d. figurative and in figurative contexts, typically with reference to something acting as a support. Frequently in established phrases, e.g. not to have a leg to stand on at Phrases 3g(a), to fall on one's legs at Phrases 1f. Cf. sense 13.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] > that which supports or encourages
leg1635
confortatorya1680
1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. D.iij The onely sounde of trumpe & drumme..inforced him to sette the best legge forewarde.
1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 15 Buyenge and sellinge is one of the leggs whervpon euery common welthe dothe stand.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iv. iii. 193 The sprightly voice of sinew-strengthning Pleasure Can lend my bedrid soule both legs and leisure.
1663 Hactenus Inaudita 9 Recourse must be had to a true Son of the Art, who walks the Via Regia on the Legs of Reason and Experience..and knows how to make use of the Crutch of Analogisme.
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Baucis & Philemon in Fables 160 They haste, and what their tardy Feet deny'd, The trusty Staff (their better Leg) supply'd.
1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 561 One leg by truth supported, one by lies, They sidle to the goal.
1885 Central Law Jrnl. 27 Nov. 446/1 The judiciary in this country is a sort of ball and chain fastened to the legislative leg.
1892 Ohio Pract. Farmer 26 Mar. 240/2 Too many of them [sc. farmers] have been ‘one-legged walkers,’ and they have not exercised their political leg for so long a time it had become sweenied and almost useless.
1937 C. Morris Logical Positivism v. 67 Science has integrated and utilized all of the dimensions of meaning, and may be said to walk on the three legs of theory, fact, and practice.
1956 Jrnl. Royal Statist. Soc. 119 182 There are two legs supporting this claim: (i) theory, (ii) facts.
2003 Southwestern Hist. Q. 107 357 Victoria Turner's Dreams, Fields, and Metaphors, an important theoretical leg of Anderson's work.
2. The leg or part of the leg of an animal or bird used as food; meat from the leg of an animal or bird.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > part or joint of animal > [noun] > leg or thigh
pestlea1425
leg?c1425
gigot1526
gybot1597
ham1650
leg joint1825
skinka1918
?c1425 Recipe in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (Arun. 334) (1790) 453 (MED) Take moton of the legge, and seth hit tendur bi hitself.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xii. 115 Here is to recorde The leg of a goys With chekyns endorde.
1541 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) ii. i. 16 b Biefe is better digested than a chykens [sic] legge.
a1625 J. Fletcher Bonduca ii. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Gggg3v/1 What say you to a leg of Beef now, sirha?
a1654 A. Ross Πανσεβεια (1655) i. 36 In another dish is a roasted leg of Lamb or Kid, with an hard egge.
1733 V. La Chapelle Mod. Cook II. iii. 124 A bit of Leg of Veal.
1786 J. Wolcot Bozzy & Piozzi 28 Dear Doctor Johnson lov'd a leg of pork, And hearty on it, would his grinders work.
1786 H. L. Piozzi Anecd. Johnson 102 Johnson's own notions about eating however were nothing less than delicate; a leg of pork boiled till it dropped from the bone.
1854 Tait's Edinb. Mag. Oct. 623/2 Three or four pounds of leg of beef will suffice for the meals of a whole week.
1941 Times 2 Oct. 5/4 People who out of pure wantonness throw away loaves of bread or even legs of mutton, and are very properly fined for it.
2012 S. Rexford Suzanne's Kitchen 343 Turkey breasts (white meat) cook faster than turkey legs and thighs (dark meat).
3.
a. A heraldic representation of a leg. Cf. gamb n., paw n.1 1c.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > representations of human or divine beings > [noun] > leg
legc1460
c1460 Bk. Arms in Ancestor (1903) Apr. 182 (MED) Port de goulys tres jaumbis inne sayle eprone dore. The leggys sylvyr, the sporrys and the kneys golde. The armys of the Ile of Man.
c1500 Sc. Poem Heraldry (Harl. 6149) l. 168 in F. J. Furnivall Queene Elizabethes Achademy (1869) i. 100 Thire be also raschit, as lege or heid.
1680 G. Mackenzie Sci. Herauldry xix. 54 Gules, on a fess betwixt a bow and arrow in full draught in Chief, and three legs couped at the thigh in base argent.
1725 J. Coats New Dict. Heraldry (rev. ed.) Legs are born in Coat-Armour, either naked, or shod, or booted.
1797 Encycl. Brit. VIII. 457/2 ‘Gules, three Legs armed proper, conjoined in the Fess-point’... This is the coat of arms of the Isle of Man.
1846 W. Newton Display of Heraldry xv. 111 Argent, a chevron between three eagles' legs erased sable, is borne by the name of Bray.
1909 A. C. Fox-Davies Compl. Guide Heraldry xii. 207 A bull's leg is the crest of De la Vache.
2006 J. T. Koch Celtic Cultures II. 676/1 In Viking times, the coat of arms of the Isle of Man was a ship with sails furled, but after the Viking era ended this was changed to the three legs emblem.
b. Scottish. Short for leg dollar n. at Compounds 2a. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > coins collective > Scottish coins > [noun] > silver coins
mark1379
noble1417
yokindale1536
Douglas groat1554
James Royal1567
leg1687
fourteen-shilling piece1695
thirteen-pence-halfpenny piece1723
spurred groata1773
sword dollar1825
1687 Acct. in J. Russell Haigs of Bemersyde (1881) xi. 331 To Daick,..a rex-dollar and halfe a legg.
1688 in Sc. Notes & Queries (1888) 1st Ser. 3 39 From Robert Davidson 9 rix dollars and ane leg quhich he had received from Dantzick.
a1722 J. Lauder Jrnls. (1900) 269 The nixt money I brok upon was 52 dollars wheirof 31 of them ware legs.
4. A gesture of submission or deferential respect, an obeisance; spec. a bow, curtsy. Frequently in to make a (†long, †low, etc.) leg and variants. Also in extended use. Cf. leg v. 2. Now archaic.to scrape a leg: see scrape v. 8b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > respect or show respect [verb (intransitive)] > bow, kneel, or curtsey
loutc825
abowOE
bowa1000
kneel?a1000
kneec1000
crookc1320
to bow the knee1382
inclinec1390
crouchc1394
croukc1394
coucha1500
plya1500
to make or do courtesy1508
beck1535
to make a (long, low, etc.) leg1548
curtsya1556
dopc1557
binge1562
jouk1567
beckon1578
benda1586
humblea1592
vaila1593
to scrape a leg1602
congee1606
to give the stoop1623
leg1628
scrape1645
to drop a curtsy1694
salaam1698
boba1794
dip1818
to make (also perform) a cheese1834
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [noun] > manifestation of respect > bowing, kneeling, or curtseying > a bow or curtsey
crookc1330
beckc1375
obediencec1390
obeisancea1393
reverencec1400
inclinationa1425
courtesy1508
curtsy1513
honour1531
leg1548
duck1554
beisance1556
jouk1567
congee1577
crouch1597
humblesso1599
inclinabo1607
salaam1613
dop1616
scrape1628
bowa1656
visit-leg1673
couchee1691
dip1792
bob1825
1548 W. Lynne tr. M. Luther Frutefull & Godly Expos. Kyngdom of Christ sig. Fviii Thou spendest thy money, and makest wery legges, and yet doest no good.
a1587 L. Aldersey in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1589) i. 181 I turned me to the Basha, and made a long legge, saying, Grand mercye Seignior.
1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. P3v Whither..haue you brought mee? To Newgate good Master Doctour with a lowe legge they made answer.
1657 T. Reeve God's Plea for Nineveh 74 When he doth congee to the humours of the age, and make low leggs to the fancies of the times.
1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 42 'Tis good to learn to dance, a man may learn his Leg, learn to go handsomly.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 106 The Governour..gave them his Hat and Leg.
1839 H. W. Longfellow Hyperion I. i. vii He is one that cannot make a good leg.
1858 Sat. Rev. 31 July 98 The India Bill came simpering on..and made its little leg to an applauding public.
1925 S. Weyman Queen's Folly (1927) 10 She's young..and bidding's no more than wind in the grass when a young spark makes a leg.
2007 E. James Desperate Duchesses i. 13 ‘Your servant, Gryffyn,’ the duke said, making a leg.
5. The part of a boot, pair of trousers, etc., which covers the leg, or a part of the leg.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > covering spec parts of body > other
breasta1486
thigh1533
leg1558
belly1600
instepc1615
knee1662
belly-piece1689
legging1738
wrist1803
bust1808
midriff1941
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > footwear > parts of footwear > [noun] > boot leg
leg1558
bootleg1634
1558 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Queen Elizabeth (1908) 19 viii paire of Sloppes parted, the one legge of the said blewe clothe of golde and the other of greene clothe of Silver.
1639 J. Woodall Treat. Plague in Surgeons Mate (rev. ed.) 360 Be carefull to provide them Wastcoates, Sleeves, or, at the least, the legges of old Hose.
1780 D. Monro Observ. Means of Preserving Health of Soldiers (ed. 2) I. i. ii. 8 The troops on the North American service have had a pair of trousers, or breeches with legs, which reach to their shoes furnished them.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 248 That..ungainly looking man,..with the straggling black trousers, which reach about half-way down the leg of his boots.
1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations I. ii. 18 To put my hunk of bread-and-butter down the leg of my trousers.
1924 F. J. Mills Happy Days 112 Those trousers..were what was known as half-masters. There was a space of three inches between the bottom of each leg and the top of each boot.
1963 N.Y. Times 19 July 11/2 Silk beach pajama bottoms were cut with a wide leg.
2003 K. Sampson Freshers 38 Jeans so voluminous you could hide a keg of ale down either leg.
6.
a. An artificial or prosthetic leg. Frequently with the material from which the leg is made specified, esp. in wooden leg (see wooden adj. Compounds 2), cork leg, etc. Cf. peg leg n., prosthesis n. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > prosthesis or spare part > [noun] > leg
leg1574
wooden leg1582
stump1679
peg leg1769
timber-toe1785
peg1826
tram1836
jury-leg1850
pylon1919
1574 J. Whitgift Def. Aunswere to Admon. xvi. 624 A legge of woode ioyned cunninglye to a true bodye.
1634 T. Johnson tr. A. Paré Chirurg. Wks. xxiii. xii. 882 The description of legs made artificially of iron.
1788 B. Bell Syst. Surg. VI. 503 A hollow leg made of tin, and covered with thin leather.
1895 Catal. Surg. Instruments (Arnold & Sons) 789 Socket Leg, for amputation above knee, with wooden socket.
1924 Washington Post 3 Jan. 4/5 Col. Emilio P. Cordero, Cuban patriot and soldier,..distinguished himself in the Spanish–American war by carrying messages through the lines in his cork leg.
2014 Worcester News (Nexis) 31 July [She] waved her leg at the front of the crowd. Captured on video..Tony can be heard saying, ‘Jesus, you've taken your leg off’.
b. Perhaps: a wooden leg used as a frame around which to knit stockings. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > making other clothing > [noun] > making hosiery > equipment
leg1699
1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) A Leg of Wood to put in a Stocking, Forme, pour enformer les Bas.
7. colloquial. In plural.
a. Originally in Billiards. With reference to a ball: the momentum needed to reach a desired point. Esp. in to have (the) legs.
ΚΠ
1869 Sportsman Feb. 87 Cook's ball..never seems to have ‘legs’ to reach the object intended.
1879 J. L. Molloy Our Autumn Holiday on French Rivers xvi. 110 Bow played for a final cannon... His ball struggled on, but, in billiard parlance, it hadn't enough legs.
1918 Golfers Mag. Sept. 23/1 Once or twice it threatened to stop but it just had legs enough to come to the rim..and then fell ‘plump’ into the cup.
1959 I. Fleming Goldfinger ix. 113 Desperately Bond focused the ball and tried to keep his swing all in one piece. There came the ugly clonk of a mis-hit ball... It was a lofted hook. Would it have the legs?
1994 Times 31 May 23/5 He drove Emburey through the leg side,..giving the ball enough ‘legs’ to beat Fraser's chase to the rope.
2013 M. Haszto Deafening Vibrations 228 Matt ripped a long line drive to left center field... It looked as though the ball had enough legs to clear the fence.
b. Originally and chiefly U.S. With reference to a product or idea: popular appeal or success, esp. over a long period of time; the potential to be popular or successful; staying power. Frequently in to have legs.Originally with reference to a book, film, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > popularity > [noun] > potential for popularity
leg1930
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > quality of being approvable or acceptable > popularity > become popular [verb (intransitive)] > have potential for popularity
to have legs1930
1930 R. R. Clark Let. in Publ. Texas Folk-lore Soc. 8 153 His stuff was much copied and when he wrote something that went the rounds he would say that ‘it had legs’.
1978 N.Y. Times Mag. 23 July 22/2 Books that used to be called pageturners but are now referred to as books with legs, presumably because they seem to walk off the shelves.
1985 Time 4 Feb. 85 Sometimes..movies can elude their death warrants and flourish into cult objects through doggedness and word of mouth. They acquire ‘legs’.
1991 Spy (N.Y.) Mar. 19/2 The Tracking Study can be used to assess a film's potential ‘legs’.
1996 Entertainm. Weekly 3 May 7/1 But it's not clear if the stock has legs: Prices dipped the next trading day to $26 but edged up to just over $17 at press time.
2010 Independent 18 Feb. 20/3 Brown was furious that his spin doctors had ‘allowed’ the story to get legs.
2011 D. Eagleman Incognito (2012) v. 125 No one yet knows whether Jaynes's theory has legs, but the proposal is too interesting to ignore.
8. slang (originally and chiefly U.S.)
a. Sexual intercourse. Frequently in to get (off) some leg: (of a man) to have sexual intercourse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse
ymonec950
moneOE
meanc1175
manredc1275
swivinga1300
couplec1320
companyc1330
fellowred1340
the service of Venusc1350
miskissinga1387
fellowshipc1390
meddlinga1398
carnal knowinga1400
flesha1400
knowledgea1400
knowledginga1400
japec1400
commoning?c1425
commixtionc1429
itc1440
communicationc1450
couplingc1475
mellingc1480
carnality1483
copulation1483
mixturea1500
Venus act?1507
Venus exercise?1507
Venus play?1507
Venus work?1507
conversation?c1510
flesh-company1522
act?1532
carnal knowledge1532
occupying?1544
congression1546
soil1555
conjunction1567
fucking1568
rem in re1568
commixture1573
coiture1574
shaking of the sheets?1577
cohabitation1579
bedding1589
congress1589
union1598
embrace1599
making-outa1601
rutting1600
noddy1602
poop-noddy1606
conversinga1610
carnal confederacy1610
wapping1610
businessa1612
coition1615
doinga1616
amation1623
commerce1624
hot cocklesa1627
other thing1628
buck1632
act of love1638
commistion1658
subagitation1658
cuntc1664
coit1671
intimacy1676
the last favour1676
quiffing1686
old hat1697
correspondence1698
frigging1708
Moll Peatley1711
coitus1713
sexual intercourse1753
shagging1772
connection1791
intercourse1803
interunion1822
greens1846
tail1846
copula1864
poking1864
fuckeea1866
sex relation1871
wantonizing1884
belly-flopping1893
twatting1893
jelly roll1895
mattress-jig1896
sex1900
screwing1904
jazz1918
zig-zig1918
other1922
booty1926
pigmeat1926
jazzing1927
poontang1927
relations1927
whoopee1928
nookie1930
hump1931
jig-a-jig1932
homework1933
quickie1933
nasty1934
jig-jig1935
crumpet1936
pussy1937
Sir Berkeley1937
pom-pom1945
poon1947
charvering1954
mollocking1959
leg1967
rumpy-pumpy1968
shafting1971
home plate1972
pata-pata1977
bonking1985
legover1985
knobbing1986
rumpo1986
fanny1993
1967 H. S. Thompson Hell's Angels i. 16 They were loaded and they wanted to get off some leg.
1969 U. Hannerz Soulside vi. 126 Already boys less than ten years old talk in the group context about ‘getting some pussy’ (or ‘some leg’ as boys in Washington started saying about 1967).
1978 Maledicta 1977 1 227 Some free leg (sex).
2007 I. Christe Everybody wants Some vi. 69 Hey man, that suit is you! You'll get some leg tonight for sure!
b. Women considered as a source of sexual intercourse or satisfaction. Now usually in a bit of leg, a piece of leg.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual partner > [noun] > woman considered in sexual terms or as a sexual partner
cunnya1593
watermilla1626
piece of ass1816
fuck1870
gash1914
assa1916
mama1916
bim1922
pigmeat1926
nookie1928
screw1937
poontang1945
poon1947
trim1955
a bit (or piece) of crumpet1959
leg1968
1968 W. Heyen & W. Taggart What happens in Fort Lauderdale 60 When it comes to pulling leg, I get my share, you know.
1983 ‘J. Cain’ Saigon Commandos xxix. 441 Just a lot of hot leg in here.
1997 Times (Nexis) 16 July Mr McKever, a veteran of Dunkirk, confessed: ‘I still look after a nice bit of leg from time to time.’
II. Something that resembles a leg in shape, appearance, or function, esp. as a support.
9.
a. A bar, pole, stem, or beam used as a support or prop (esp. in Shipbuilding and Mining).The sense in quots. 1554, 1564 is uncertain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports > prop
stipera1000
prop1440
shorec1440
lega1475
stut1559
spurn1620
stilt1633
Dutchman1859
a1475 Bk. Quinte Essence (1889) 5 Take what vessel of glas þat ȝe wole, or of erþe strongly glasid, and þer-vpon a round foot of glas wiþ a leg.
1554 in R. Adam Edinb. Rec. (1899) I. 119 The expensis..on the bigging of the Schoir of Leyth... Item, for ane draucht of laiggis fra the Borromure to the schoir iij s. vj d.
1564 Protocol. Bks. T. Johnsoun (1920) 138 Sex pece of curtenis of lynnyng with the leggis..ane pair of curtenis..with the leggis.
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. iv. 73 One end of the Carriage is supported with two Legs, or a Fork of three foot high.
1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 81 'Tis set upon the Ground by means of three Legs or Staves..put into as many Sockets below the Ball... The lesser sort..require but one Leg.
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining Leg. 1. S[cotland]. A wooden prop supporting one end of a bar. 2. Y[orkshire]. A stone which has to be wedged out from beneath a larger one.
1886 R. C. Leslie Sea-painter's Log iv 68 The yacht is likely to fall over, and, breaking her leg under her, receive serious damage.
1945 Pop. Mech. Sept. 137/1 The prop consists of two legs, which are long pieces of 2 by 4-in. stock pivoted together in the center.
1997 D. M. Farrar in G. F. Read & I. Vickridge Sewers I. vii. 129 (caption) Timber framed and boarded pit for manhole construction... Ground prop or leg.
b. spec. Each of the two or more poles or masts which are fastened together to make shears for lifting or supporting loads (see shear n.1 4).
ΚΠ
1793 J. Chalmers in J. Clerk Reps Culross & Valleyfield Collieries 43 Estimate of probable expence of removing the articles of the Kincardine Fire-engine... To shear legs and capstone. 16 5 0.
1832 C. S. Drewry Mem. Suspension Bridges 72 To drive the second clump which was in deeper water, two pairs of shears were floated out at high tide, and then their legs sunk at low tide by fastening stones to them.
1857 J. M. Boyd Man. Naval Cadets 127 If the sheers are very large, additional guys—belly guys—are put on half-way up the sheer legs.
1872 Engineering 17 May 329/1 The compact arrangement of machinery now illustrated has been designed in order to reduce the space to be occupied by the machinery and the back leg of the sheers to a minimum.
1949 Boys' Life May 14/2 (caption) The 4′ cross piece is placed on the legs, 2 feet from ends. Lash cross piece to shears with two square lashings.
1995 Man. Seamanship (Admiralty) 3-203 When the head lashing has been completed the heels of the legs are opened out to the required distance.
10. A plant stem or root; the trunk of a young tree.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > stem or stalk > [noun]
stealc700
stemc888
spirea1000
stalka1366
caulc1420
codd?1440
stalec1440
thighc1440
shank1513
pipe?1523
start?1523
spindle1577
leg1597
scape1601
haulm1623
caulicle1657
culm1657
thyrse1658
scapus1704
stemlet1838
stam1839
caulis1861
caulome1875
tige1900
the world > plants > part of plant > root > [noun]
moreeOE
rootc1175
master-rootc1330
rootinga1400
radix1558
leg1597
taproot1601
top-root1651
tuberous root1668
heart-root1669
pivot1725
spill1766
tap1796
tutty-more1873
pneumatophore1891
stem root1901
heart-root1903
the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > [noun] > stem, trunk, or bole
stovenc1000
bolec1314
bodyc1330
stock1340
shaft1398
stealc1440
truncheonc1449
trunk1490
stud1579
leg1597
butt1601
truncus1706
stam1839
1597 J. Gerard Herball i. 45 In English it is called Spiderwoort..for this cause..; The leaues..stand vpon the ground with long legs, and the knees bowing vp like the spiders legs when he creepeth.
1673 N. Grew Idea Phytol. Hist. ii. i. 59 The shape of some Roots is inverted; for whereas most are parted downwards into several Legs, some are parted upwards into divers Necks.
1792 A. Swinton Trav. Norway, Denmark, & Russia 503 Stock, the leg or stem of a plant.
1872 Gardener's Mag. 9 Mar. 127/1 If they [sc. tender annuals] are running up with long legs, prick them out and plant them in the fresh soil deep enough to cure their legginess.
1876 Gardeners' Chron. 22 July 103/1 Like many other plants, it [sc. the chrysanthemum] is not all perfection, and has an objectionable length of leg.
1900 Country Life Illustr. 6 Jan. When..the trees are grown with a single stem, or ‘leg’, as the gardener calls it, there need be no trouble upon the score of sucker growth.
1940 D. Hall Genus Tulipa ix. 128 Leaves usually three on a leg, lowest about 4 cm. from ground level,..pointed, glaucous, sometimes with faint purple broken stripes.
1989 Home & Garden Dec. 28/3 Nuts..are grown on a single stem or ‘leg’, with seven or eight main branches radiating from the top of this.
11. Each of the sides of a triangle (in later use esp. those forming the right angle of a right-angled triangle); a segment of a curve or geometric figure lying to one side of a given vertex or cusp (frequently with distinguishing word, as hyperbolic leg, parabolic leg, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > shape or figure > [noun] > two-dimensional > triangle > side or segment of
casus?a1560
hypotenuse?a1560
shank1587
leg1603
crure1610
hypotenusal1648
crus1712
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 1020 The triangle with three unequall legs made the pyrimidall body.
1659 J. Moxon Tutor to Astron. (1674) vi. i. 184 The Legs of a Right Angled Spherical Triangle.
1702 J. Raphson Math. Dict. Isosceles Triangle is a Triangle that has two equal Legs.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Curve The Legs of Curves..are either of the Parabolic or Hyperbolic Kind: an Hyperbolic Leg, being that which approaches infinitely towards some Asymptote; a Parabolic, that which has no Asymptote.
1839 Observer & Rec. Agric., Sci., & Art. 1 July 158/1 Sir Isaac Newton reduces all curves..into those with hyperbolic legs, and those with parabolic ones.
1859 Math. Monthly Apr. 254 These sides are then called the legs of the triangle, while the third side is called the hypothenuse.
1934 Sewerage Wks Jrnl. 6 197 The author also studied the decreasing leg of the curve to which we need make no further reference at this point.
1964 A. H. Beiler Recreations in Theory of Numbers (1966) xiv. 104 The Pythagorean theorem, which states that the sum of the squares on the legs of a right-angled triangle is equal to the square on the hypotenuse.
2004 Winchester (Va.) Star 6 Mar. I b4/5 Travelling two legs of a triangle, instead of the hypotenuse, adds more length to the line.
12. Nautical. A part of a device such as a crowfoot (crowfoot n. 4a) which divides a single load into a number of points of attachment; (more generally) a rope which forms a connection (in various applications). Cf. centipede n. 3. Now chiefly historical.See also cat-harping legs, variant of cat-harpings n. at harpings n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > ropes or chains other than rigging or cable > [noun] > types of short ropes
leg1611
snorter1750
snotter1815
pigtail1894
1611 S. Pepys MS 2911 (Magdalene Coll. Cambr.) 125/2 The foremaste tacle... The legge.
1625 in Mariner's Mirror (1919) 5 128/1 The martlets..ar fastened at every end to a small lope called legs.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. v. 24 Legs are small ropes put thorow the bolt ropes of the maine and fore saile, neere to a foot in length, spliced each end into the other in the leech of the saile, hauing a little eye whereunto the martnets are fastened by two hitches.
1737 W. Pardon Dyche's New Gen. Eng. Dict. (ed. 2) (at cited word) Those small Ropes that are put thro' the Bolt Ropes of the Main and Fore-Sail in the Leetch of the Sail..these are called Legs of the Martnets.
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship I. 169 Legs, short ropes which branch out into two or more parts, as the bowline-legs or bridles, buntline-legs, crowfoot-legs, &c.
1860 Mercantile Marine Mag. 7 113 A leach-line is bent on each yard-arm, then carried through thimbles on the band,..thence up before the sail, and the two meet and fall to deck in one leg.
1965 Mariner's Mirror 51 241 Stouter line for making legs to attach crab-pots to a main line.
2009 O. A. Eriksen Constitution 72 The Hull Model shows the lower end of the mizzen stay spliced with a ‘leg’ to the stay aft of the mainmast and a U-shaped metal heart inserted with a spreader rod.
13.
a. Each of the supports of a piece of furniture or equipment, or of a building or structure which is raised from the ground.chair-leg: see chair n.1 Compounds 1a. table leg: see table n. Compounds 1a(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > [noun] > parts of furniture generally > leg or support
leg1616
Marlborough leg1788
therm1788
monopodium1807
cabriole leg1844
pedestal1851
cabriole1888
sabre leg1952
1616 in J. Imrie & J. G. Dunbar Accts. Masters of Wks. (1982) II. 19 For ane grit ferr jeist to David Andersoun the plumber to be leggis to his muild.
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. x. 177 The Legs and Cheeks are to be fastned with Braces to the Floor..of the Room the Lathe stands in.
1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure II. 147 [He] was straitway extended flat upon his belly, on the bench, with a pillow under his face; and as he thus tamely lay, I tied him slightly hand and foot, to the legs of it.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 19 Joint-stools were then created; on three legs Upborne they stood.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xlvi. 501 Mr. Pickwick grated the legs of his chair against the ground.
1895 N.Y. Times 24 Mar. 29/5 One leg of the steel-pointed camera tripod was thrust into the sleeping snake.
1956 Mariner's Mirror 42 280 There is another line forward of the A-frame, so I am suggesting that this is the third leg of a tripod mast.
1997 Washington Post 10 July (Home section) 20/1 Houses on legs are a familiar sight along the ocean or the bay, given the requirements for storm tolerance or dune preservation.
2012 A. Cahill Life Happens i. 4 I stubbed my toe on the leg of the coffee table as I ran around it.
b. Oil Industry. Each of the steel columns extending below the main deck of an offshore oil platform or rig, used to float and stabilize the structure or to rest it on the seabed.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > oil and natural gas recovery equipment > [noun] > platform > beam supporting deck
leg1931
skid1975
skid beam1976
1866 U.S. Patent 58,235 2/1 In combination with the derrick-frame AAB, the pivoted foot at the end of the leg B of the frame, as and for the purpose described.]
1931 U.S. Patent 1,811,761 2/1 [Submarine Oil Well Derrick]. The derrick..is shown partly broken away for convenience... Each of the four legs is positioned immediately above the vertical uprights.
1954 Business Week 10 Apr. 75/1 When the legs have been driven far enough to carry the load, the barge is lifted out of the water to the desired height.
1969 Punch 26 Feb. 313/2 The control room man can flood or pump out the legs just by squeezing small levers—four thousand tons of water in each leg, and she sinks to rest on the sea bottom. A bit less and she floats.
1992 D. McLean Bucket of Tongues 38 There was a couple of divers doing maintenance on the outside of the leg.
2009 A. Rae Oil, Plastics & Power 11/1 The legs of the platform act like an artificial reef.
14. Each of the two branches of a forked, jointed, or curved object or structure.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > constituent part or component > of a complex structure or instrument > of a forked or jointed object
leg1644
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. xiiii. 120 The two legges of a compasse.
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 120 The Legs of a Carpenter's Joynt-Rule.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Compasses The common Compasses consist of two Branches or Legs.
1801 T. Jefferson Writings (1893–9) VII. 482 A rainbow, therefore,..plunges one of it's legs down to the river.
1866 Croquet: Implem. & Laws 10 A ball is Wired when it cannot effect the stroke desired on account of the leg of a hoop (wire) intervening.
1923 N.Y. Times 2 Sept. x. 12/2 Men are at work stripping away the river bank and the face of the cliffs preliminary to the building of abutments on which the legs of the arch will rest.
2015 Oskaloosa (Iowa) Herald (Nexis) 25 Feb. (State & Regional News section) The two points on the legs of the compass help mark the map with accurate distances on the paper while adapting miles to scaled distances.
15. Mining and Geology. Each of the descending parts on either side of the axis of an anticline (cf. sense 14); either of the two descending lateral prolongations of a coal deposit, gold-bearing quartz reef, etc., situated in a saddle or anticline.In quot. 1877 more generally: a portion of a mineral deposit protruding downwards into other strata.
ΚΠ
1858 H. D. Rogers Geol. Pennsylvania II. 58 On the W. side the bed exhibits an anticlinal dip in the drift, with the coal 10 feet thick on each side of the axis. Extending the drift along the Northern or steepest leg of the arch, the dip suddenly changes from 35° or 40° N. almost to perpendicular.
1877 J. Geikie Great Ice Age (ed. 2) 378 The men..informed me that it was only a ‘leg’, and was connected with the stuff at the top—from which they said several such ‘legs’ had come.
1881 Reps. Mining Surveyors & Registrars (Victoria) Mar. 34 As the lode deepens it assumes a saddle shape, thence forming two reefs; the western leg underlaying west 72 degrees.
1896 C. D. Walcott Cambrian Rocks Pennsylvania (Bull. U.S. Geol. Surv. No. 134.) 15 The southern leg of Dr. Frazer's anticline is formed of rocks that bear no resemblance to the Mesozoic Red sandstone.
1917 Austral. Statesman & Mining Standard 4 Jan. 9/3 The work on the west leg of the Central Blue reef has not disclosed gold up to the present.
1976 J. D. Ridge Annotated Bibliogr. Min. Deposits Afr., Asia, & Australasia 448 Leg reefs continue down a bedding fault or plane from a saddle reef or are isolated below the saddle.
1987 G. Capello et al. in G. Matheron & M. Armstrong Geostatist. Case Stud. 74 The first [zone]..is slightly inclined and highly irregular with throws of up to 90 m. It represents the western leg of the anticline.
2003 W. D. Birch & A. H. M. VandenBerg in W. D. Birch Geol. Victoria i. 10 (caption) Upper S3 Reef—East Leg (some 10 m below the cap and 650 m below surface) within the No. 3 ribbon of the Sheepshead Anticline, Bendigo goldfield.
16. Lacemaking. A thread which links patterns together into a larger piece. Cf. bride n.2 4. Chiefly in plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > [noun] > consisting of loops or looped stitches > lace > pattern > network which connects patterns
bar1852
brides1864
leg1864
1864 Athenæum 24 Dec. 851/3 These connecting threads were called, in English, ‘Pearl-ties’ and ‘Cockscombs’; the Italians called them ‘Legs’.
1865 F. B. Palliser Hist. Lace xxii. 263 Early guipure of Venice or darned network, in which the raised flowers were strung together by legs or brides.
1900 E. Jackson Hist. Hand-made Lace 214 Legs,..the connecting threads thrown across spaces in needlepoint and bobbin laces.
1988 B. M. Cook Torchon Lace Workbook 47 Twist each leg pair twice more.
17. In plural. (A humorous nickname for) the number eleven in the game of bingo; short for legs eleven n. at Compounds 2a.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > bingo or lotto > [noun] > specific numbers
clickety-click1917
legs eleven1917
legs1933
1933 L. A. G. Strong Sea Wall 256 A game of ‘house’ was in progress and a voice monotonously droned the numbers: ‘..legs... Kelly's eye.’
1987 J. Green Dict. Jargon 56/2 Bingo calls, doctor's orders (9); legs (11); key of the door (21); all the t(h)rees, Epping Forest (33); droopy drawers (44).
2000 Evening Herald (Plymouth) (Nexis) 5 May (What's On Suppl.) 24 Two little ducks, the key of the door, legs, two fat ladies, Heinz varieties. Bingo and its lingo may seem quaint.., but to thousands of fanatics it's nothing short of a religion.
18. In plural. In wine tasting: the liquid trails that cling briefly to the sides of a glass after the wine has been swirled. Also known as tears.
ΚΠ
1971 N.Y. Mag. 20 Dec. 41/1 (advt.) A full bodied wine will come down the glass in ‘sheets’. A lighter wine will break into ‘legs’.
1983 D. Stewart Cellars Market 173 That wine is..beautiful... The colour, the bouquet, the legs round the glass. All perfect.
2009 E. McCarthy et al. Wine All-in-One for Dummies i. v. 74 A wine's legs are a complicated phenomenon having to do with the surface tension of the wine and the evaporation rate of the wine's alcohol.
III. Senses referring to people.
19. depreciative. A swindler, esp. a swindling bookmaker; = blackleg n. 2. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > worker according to manner of working > [noun] > striking > refusing to strike
dung1765
scab1777
knobstick1794
leg1815
rat1824
nob1825
black1826
blackneb1832
blacknob1838
knob1839
snob1839
blackleg1844
snob-stick1860
non-striker1868
ratter1890
strike-breaker1904
1815 Sporting Mag. 45 39 The Goose that laid the Golden Egg should be a lesson to the legs on the turf.
1884 H. Smart From Post to Finish xxiii. 172 The world regards me as a compound of leg and money-lender.
1967 K. Giles Death & Mr. Prettyman x. 185 Ferdinand followed the profession of being a ‘leg’, as they called crooked gamblers.
20. U.S. slang. A woman, esp. one who is attractive or (in later use) promiscuous. Also occasionally in plural.In later use probably influenced by sense 8.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > woman > [noun]
wifeeOE
womaneOE
womanOE
queanOE
brideOE
viragoc1000
to wifeOE
burdc1225
ladyc1225
carlinec1375
stotc1386
marec1387
pigsneyc1390
fellowa1393
piecec1400
femalea1425
goddessa1450
fairc1450
womankindc1450
fellowessa1500
femininea1513
tega1529
sister?1532
minikinc1540
wyec1540
placket1547
pig's eye1553
hen?1555
ware1558
pussy?a1560
jade1560
feme1566
gentlewoman1567
mort1567
pinnacea1568
jug1569
rowen1575
tarleather1575
mumps1576
skirt1578
piga1586
rib?1590
puppy1592
smock1592
maness1594
sloy1596
Madonna1602
moll1604
periwinkle1604
Partlet1607
rib of man1609
womanship?1609
modicum1611
Gypsy1612
petticoata1616
runniona1616
birda1627
lucky1629
she-man1640
her1646
lost rib1647
uptails1671
cow1696
tittup1696
cummer17..
wife1702
she-woman1703
person1704
molly1706
fusby1707
goody1708
riding hood1718
birdie1720
faggot1722
piece of goods1727
woman body1771
she-male1776
biddy1785
bitch1785
covess1789
gin1790
pintail1792
buer1807
femme1814
bibi1816
Judy1819
a bit (also bundle) of muslin1823
wifie1823
craft1829
shickster?1834
heifer1835
mot1837
tit1837
Sitt1838
strap1842
hay-bag1851
bint1855
popsy1855
tart1864
woman's woman1868
to deliver the goods1870
chapess1871
Dona1874
girl1878
ladykind1878
mivvy1881
dudess1883
dudette1883
dudine1883
tid1888
totty1890
tootsy1895
floozy1899
dame1902
jane1906
Tom1906
frail1908
bit of stuff1909
quim1909
babe1911
broad1914
muff1914
manhole1916
number1919
rossie1922
bit1923
man's woman1928
scupper1935
split1935
rye mort1936
totsy1938
leg1939
skinny1941
Richard1950
potato1957
scow1960
wimmin1975
womyn1975
womxn1991
1939 H. Miller Tropic of Capricorn 278 ‘Get a look at that,’ he'd say, pointing to a girl strolling along the sidewalk. ‘Jesus, what a leg!’
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §427/2 Well-formed young woman,..legs.
1970 Current Slang (Univ. S. Dakota) 4 20 Leg, n. A girl.
1977 Amer. Speech 1975 50 62 Leg, promiscuous female, one who readily engages in sexual intercourse.
21. U.S. Military slang (derogatory). An infantry soldier. Cf. grunt n. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier by branch of army > [noun] > foot-soldier
footmanc1325
page?a1400
pieton?1473
foot soldier1587
rondache1607
peon1609
tolpatch1705
foot wobbler1785
wobbler1785
doughboy1835
fantassin1835
mud-crusher1864
web foot1866
grabby1868
infantryman1883
flat-foot1889
gravel-crusher1889
foot-slogger1894
PBI1916
mud-slogger1936
infanteer1944
leg1969
1969 I. Kemp Brit. G.I. in Vietnam ii. 25 Come on you bunch of sick legs!
1978 T. O'Brien Going after Cacciato 155 He grinned and gestured at Oscar's boots. ‘You guys are legs, I guess. Grunts.’
2002 Atlanta Jrnl.-Constit. (Nexis) 11 May 1 a As an infantry soldier, he is still a ‘leg’, in the parlance of his Airborne-qualified father and uncles.
IV. Cricket. Senses relating to the leg side (leg side n.).
22. A fielding position in line with or a short distance behind the wicket on the leg side; a fielder occupying this position. Frequently and now only with modifying adjective, as long leg (long leg n. 4), short leg (short adj., n., and adv. Compounds 6d), square leg (square adj. Compounds 3a), etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricketer > [noun] > fielder > fielders by position
middle wicket1772
long-stop1773
second stop1773
stop1773
long fieldsman1790
long field?1801
third man1801
outscout1805
leg1816
point1816
slip1816
backstop1819
long fielder1835
long leg1835
long field off1837
short leg1843
square leg1849
cover-point1850
long-stopper1851
middle-off1851
cover-slip1854
long off1854
left fielder1860
short square1860
mid-off1865
extra cover (point)1867
deep-fielder1870
mid-on1870
cover1897
leg trap1897
infield1898
deep field1900
slipper1903
slip fieldsman1906
midwicket1909
infieldsman1910
slip-catcher1920
infielder1927
leg slip1956
1816 W. Lambert Instr. & Rules Cricket 41 Leg or hip. The person who takes this place should stand a little back of the straight line of the popping crease.
1858 Chambers's Information for People (new ed.) II. xiii. 688/2 Leg should stand rather behind the striker, in a diagonal line, about twelve or sixteen yards from the wicket.
1880 Times 28 Sept. 11/5 The men were placed thus:—Mr. Jarvis, wicket-keeper;..Bannerman, leg [etc.].
1951 People 3 June 8/6 Then Flavell got Rogers caught at short leg at 98.
2014 Daily Tel. 25 Apr. (Sport section) 16/4 He responded by becoming a notorious blocker, compounding the frustration of bowlers with his habit of walking halfway to square leg between deliveries.
23. = leg side n. Usually as the object of a preposition and now usually without article, as in e.g. to hit to (the) leg. Cf. off n. 4. In early use often in reference to the section of the leg side of the field in line with or behind the stumps; cf. sense 22. Used in preference to on as the contrast of off in uses relating to bowling (see e.g. quot. 1935).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricket ground > [noun] > parts of field
long field1828
leg1833
silly point1862
deep field1870
country1878
infield1898
the deep1906
rough1952
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricket ground > [noun] > side
leg side?1801
offside1816
leg1833
on-side1833
off1836
on1836
long on1843
long off1854
1833 New Sporting Mag. Sept. 325 ‘Look to the leg,’ aye there it goes, One—two—three—how they're running!
1843 ‘Wykhamist’ Pract. Hints Cricket 18 As soon as ever the Ball is pitched to the leg.
1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days ii. viii. 397 A beautifully pitched ball for the outer stump, which the..unfeeling Jack..hits right round to leg for five.
1927 G. A. Terrill Out in Glare v. 89 Leg was almost an empty area so far as fielders were concerned.
1935 Manch. Guardian 23 May 3/3 Hammond bowled slower than he usually does and got a prodigious swerve from leg to off in collaboration with the wind.
1955 Times 4 July 3/3 Yet just when he seemed assured of a 50..his attempted sweep to leg at a straight enough ball was rather too saucy.
2014 Sunday Times (South Africa) (Nexis) 26 Oct. (Sport section) Trent Boult backed away to leg to make some space to smash the ball all the way to the south island.
V. A part or section of something.
24. A distinct stage or stretch of a voyage, journey, course, or (later) race.
a. Nautical. The course and distance sailed on a single tack (tack n.1 6a).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > [noun] > continuous sail on one tack
stretch1675
reach1830
leg1846
1846 Graham's Mag. Dec. 287/2 The Swash was under what Mrs. Budd might have called her ‘attacking’ canvas, and was close by the wind, looking on a good leg well up the harbor.
1892 H. G. Hutchinson Fairway Island 20 I'll fetch down on a long leg, and catch the ‘Pengelley’ on a single tack.
1895 Daily News 8 July 8/6 Valkyrie..preferred a series of short legs off Wemyss Bay to weather the Skelmorlie.
1920 Blackwood's Mag. Feb. 166/1 On each new ‘leg’ of our zigzags, our eyes were straining over ever-new horizons.
1993 E. A. Proulx Shipping News xxvi. 210 Quoyle did not understand how to tack a zigzag across the bay, a long run with the wind and waves on his bow and then a short leg with the wind on his quarter.
b. Sailing. In a race: a side of the course between two marks.
ΚΠ
1885 Forest & Stream 20 Aug. 76/2 The wind favored him on the windward leg.
1901 Rudder Oct. 381/2 The Columbia beat the Constitution 1 minute 53 seconds on the leeward leg of fifteen miles.
1964 Motor Boating Dec. 51 The ideal course makes the three legs equal in length.
1998 Yachts & Yachting 21 Aug. 95/2 On the downwind leg Reay sailed well wide to find some extra wind and pass Colin Meadows in the leading Arun boat.
2014 Advocate (Burnie, Tasmania) (Nexis) 16 Dec. 30 Rob Rickard headed the fleet to the first mark after a long windward leg.
c. gen. A part or stage of a journey.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > a stage in a journey
mansiona1382
journey1490
gests1550
jessa1593
stage1603
stade1616
manzil1619
skoff1785
pipe1793
leg1898
lap1932
1898 Piqua (Ohio) Daily Call 6 Oct. This [sc. 4,100 miles] is the length of line our battleships..will have to travel on the provisions and coal they will carry in them on the first leg of their journey to Manila.
1927 National Geographic Mag. Aug. 185/2 (heading) First non-stop leg of the journey was 1,400 miles.
1973 C. Bonington Next Horizon xiii. 196 We squeezed out of the snow cave for the last leg down to Scheidegg.
1999 Mirror 15 June 15/3 If you're travelling a long way and you do want to take the car for the first leg of the journey there is a Park and Ride system being set up.
2013 Radio Times 30 Nov. (South/West ed.) 78/2 He starts the next leg of his journey in Bordeaux.
d. Sport. A section of a race done in stages.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > [noun] > part of
half1897
leg1931
stage1943
1931 Pop. Mech. Mar. 435/1 Both drove for all they were worth on the last leg of the [sled dog] race.
1959 Life 13 July 27/1 An army of cyclists gets a hand-waving welcome on an early leg of the Tour de France.
1990 Independent (Nexis) 3 Jan. (Sport section) 30 Peter Blake..and Grant Dalton..continued their fierce battle..in the third leg of the Whitbread Round the World Race.
2014 M. Evans & J. M. Cappaert Triathletes in Motion viii. 276 It is the running leg of the triathlon that very often determines who makes the podium and who falls just short.
e. Esp. Athletics and Swimming. A section of a relay race completed by a single team member. Recorded earliest in anchor leg at anchor n.1 Compounds 1b.
ΚΠ
1933 Brownsville (Texas) Herald 9 Mar. 7/1 Pat..ran the anchor leg on the winning relay.
1955 N.Y. Times 23 Jan. 3/6 Wiggins swam his leg of the relay in 56 seconds flat.
1989 Guardian (Nexis) 11 Sept. Todd Bennett..pulled up a place on a fast leg but lost it, only to work an advantage in a scrambled changeover.
2008 Metro (Nexis) 22 Aug. (London ed.) 60 The USA again dropped the baton on the final leg but the British quartet..safely progressed to the final.
25.
a. Betting (originally Australian and New Zealand). Each part of a cumulative bet; (before the late 20th cent. usually) each part of a single bet on the two (often consecutive) horse races which make up a double (see double n. Additions and daily double n. at daily adj. and n. Compounds).
ΚΠ
1881 Melbourne Punch 14 July 14/1 I beat Berry, and now that I want to get the second leg in of the double, they [sc. the bookmakers] immediately try to nobble me, and want me scratched right off.
1884 Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.) 26 July 3/1 Here and in Australia, whether the dead heat occurs in connection with the first or second ‘leg’ of the double event, the money is put together and divided.
1933 Winnipeg Free Press 29 May 4/5 In the grandstand, conferring with his friends, and stating which horses he had picked for the first leg of the double.
1978 Royal Comm. Gambling: Final Rep. II. 479 in Parl. Papers 1977–8 (Cmnd. 7200) VII. 285 If a punter fails to choose the winner of the first leg of a double or treble with a bookmaker, the stakes are lost.
1997 Sporting Life (Nexis) 19 June 9 England to win 2-0 and Shearer to be first-scorer at odds of 8-1 and 4-1 are related contingencies, where the outcome of one leg of the bet affects the outcome of the other.
2015 Sunday Times (Ireland ed.) (Nexis) 15 Mar. (Business section) 5 Top horse..Annie Power was the final leg of hundreds of accumulator bets.
b. Sport. Each of the matches that constitute a single tie in a cup or tournament; esp. (chiefly in Association Football) each of a pair of matches in which two teams play each other at home and away with the aggregate score deciding the tie.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > game or definite spell of play > specific one of series
heata1663
rubber game1793
round1837
rubber match1843
tie-match1864
final1880
postseason1882
semi-final1884
preliminary1886
cup-tie1895
play-off1895
tie1895
leg1899
repechage1899
qualifier1908
quarter-final1916
playdown1918
rounder1918
go-around1933
quick death1938
semi1942
pretrial1946
quarter1950
barrage1955
tie-breaker1961
semi-main1968
tie-break1970
breaker1979
1899 Sunday Post (Boston) 5 Mar. 19/6 The Hub rollers won the first leg of a series of three matches.
1913 Salt Lake Tribune 10 June 6/4 McLoughlin..defeated..Doust of the Australian team in three straight sets today, giving America the first leg of the Davis cup elimination series.
1945 Times 7 Nov. 8/5 In the event of a draw on aggregate after the second leg extra time shall be played 10 minutes each way.
1977 Winnipeg Free Press 8 Dec. 73/2 Barcelona..qualified for the quarter-final round of the UEFA Cup..by beating Ipswich..on penalty kicks after a 3-3 standoff following the completion of home and away legs.
1984 K. Macklin Story of Rugby League vi. 91 Jim Sullivan..kicked three goals in the second leg against a team for which he..had guested.
2015 Independent (Nexis) 30 July (Sport section) 56 The Scottish champions have a goal to defend in the return game..although on the evidence of the first leg the tie is far from over.
c. Darts. A single game in a match.
ΚΠ
1929 Oelwein (Iowa) Daily Reg. 24 June 2/5 Perhaps the Wolf's Head or the Flower Pot team wins the first ‘leg’ from the Queen's Arms or the Duke of York.
1981 D. Whitcombe How to play Darts iii. 13 In the third and decisive leg I got to a double first.
1992 Darts World Oct. 45/3 Though kitty was back on 224, she hit 138, 37 and 49 to wrap the leg.
2015 Radio Times 28 Feb. (South/West ed.) 27/2 Darts..has the best finish of any sport ever invented. Every time you want to win a leg or a set you must finish on a ‘double,’ the hardest shot of all.
d. Sport. Each of the matches, races, tournaments, etc., that must be won in order to achieve a particular set of victories, esp. in a series of major championships or important matches or races in a particular sport in the same year (e.g. grand slam n. 1c, triple crown n. at triple adj. and adv. Compounds 1c).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > set or series, considered as an achievement > match, etc., in
leg1935
1935 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 17 June 6/4 Bobby smashed the hopes by winning the title, second leg of the grand slam he scored in 1930.
1948 Washington Post 14 May 5 b/3 Only three colts were left to vie with Calumet's Citation in the famous test of a mile and three sixteenths, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
1989 Times (Nexis) 4 Sept. Simon Berrisford and Steven Redgrave face the first leg of their attempt to win both pair-oar events.
2009 M. J. Fisher Terrible Splendor 260 He [sc. Don Budge] led the U.S. Davis Cup team in defending the Cup successfully against the Australians, and then it was time for the final leg of the Grand Slam.
26. Stock Market.
a. A stage, period, or phase of a market trend relating to either rising or falling stock prices.
ΚΠ
1931 Barron's 31 Aug. 28/3 In every bear market there is one last technical rebound against the primary down trend which must necessarily be at the same time the first leg of a new bull market.
1967 Financial Analysts Jrnl. 23 155/1 This turned out to be the first leg of a bear market following the dynamic eighteen-fold bull market rise from 1948 to 1960.
1978 Financial Times 21 Oct. 4/5 This second leg of a rally which began last April has finally succumbed to a pessimistic interpretation of current economic reality.
2007 R. C. Carlson Invest like Fox vi. 167 All of the value funds earned solid returns during the last leg of the bull market.
b. Of an investment: any of various options in a spread or straddle (straddle n. 2a).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > [noun] > specific operations or arrangements
intromission1567
hedginga1631
retiring1681
partnership1704
put1718
time bargain1720
bargain for time1721
option1746
call1825
put and call1826
cornering1841
corner1853
raid1866
pooling1871
squeeze1872
call option1874
recapitalization1874
short squeeze1877
split-up1878
margin call1888
pyramid1888
profit taking1891
pyramiding1895
underwriting1895
melon-cutting1900
round turn1901
market-making1902
put-through1902
put and take1921
round trip1922
put and take1929
leverage1931
split-down1932
switching1932
give-up1934
mark to market1938
recap1940
rollover1947
downtick1954
stock split1955
traded option1955
leg1959
stock splitting1959
rollover1961
split1972
spread betting1972
unitization1974
marking-to-market1981
swap1982
telebroking1984
1959 G. Gold Mod. Commodity Futures Trading xxii. 226 He may well have to suffer a loss on the second leg of the straddle too.
1969 N.Y. Mag. 17 Feb. 37/2 You put on a straddle, as we say. By the end of December the price has moved, so you have a loss on one leg of the straddle and a gain on the other.
1977 N.Y. Times 1 May f2/2 Each ‘leg’, or side of the spread should be in a different delivery month if one commodity is involved.
2009 M. D. Mullaney Compl. Guide Option Strategies xxxi. 471 As a result of entering a spread order, you will not be executed on only one leg of the transaction unless the entire transaction is executed.
27. U.S. Broadcasting. A supplementary network, connected to the main network, which provides coverage for a particular region.
ΚΠ
1937 L. Lewis Radio Dict. in Printers' Ink Monthly May 39/1 Leg, a regional chain, i.e., one link of stations in a network.
1951 E. E. Willis Found. in Broadcasting iii. 47 Often these supplementary stations are organised into groups or legs, which provide coverage of an entire section. The networks all have West Coast legs, for example.
1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. (rev. ed.) XI. 252/2 Network legs are usually..one-way circuits from the AT&T office to the leg office and the stations they feed.
2000 G. Ansbro I have Lady in Balcony xvi. 73/2 During that pause my New England network leg would rejoin the regular network.

Phrases

Many of these phrases have (frequently now more common) parallel forms with foot.
P1. Prepositional phrases.
a. off one's legs. Cf. foot n. and int. Phrases 2b(a).
(a) So as to be no longer standing. Sometimes (esp. in early use) used specifically to describe the effects of sickness or weakness; now usually in to go (also be) off one's legs.
ΚΠ
1622 L. Digges tr. G. de Céspedes y Meneses Gerardo ii. iii. 468 About to haue giuen him a secret iogge, hee [sc. Leoncio] had like to set him off his legges to the ground.
a1654 J. Murcot Several Wks. (1657) 629 The Prodigal was almost beaten off his leggs.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. iii. 188 Purging Comfits and Ants eggs Had almost brought him off his leggs.
1668 R. Alleine World Conquered 196 How little a wind will blow us off our legs?
1772 R. Warner tr. Plautus Twin Brothers Prol., in B. Thornton et al. tr. Plautus Comedies III. 6 Th'rapid river rap'd him off his legs, And snatch'd him to destruction.
1871 C. H. Hackley tr. T. Billroth Gen. Surg. Pathol. & Therapeutics xvi. 452 Rachitic children are rarely brought to the doctor before either the parents notice the thick limbs or distortion, or until, as the mother expresses it, ‘they are off their legs,’ i. e., they no longer wish to stand or walk.
1904 Clin. Jrnl. 23 Mar. 359/1 Many children who have had an acute illness will go off their legs for a long time.
1953 W. Powell-Owen Compl. Poultry Bk. (rev. ed.) ix. 135 Some of the birds went off their legs and laid a lot of shell-less eggs.
2004 Daily News (N.Y.) (Nexis) 18 Jan. 19 He was walking off the road behind his buddies when the explosive device knocked him off his legs.
(b) To the point of exhaustion or collapse. Now usually in to run (a person) off his (also her) feet (or legs) at run v. Phrases 3b(a), to rush (a person) off his (also her) feet (or legs) at rush v.2 Phrases 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > become weary or exhausted [verb (intransitive)] > cause another to be weary or exhausted
off his legs1631
to weary out1647
1631 B. Jonson Divell is Asse i. i, in Wks. II. 97 They ride 'hem [sc. vices] like their horses off their legges, And here they come to Hell, whole legions of 'hem, Euery weeke tyr'd.
1694 L. Echard tr. Plautus Epidicus v. vii, in tr. Plautus Comedies 120 'Sbudikins, you've almost walk'd me off my Legs tho'.
1776 W. Ward New Treat. Method Breeding Breaking & Training Horses 66 The horse is..trained off his legs before he comes to start.
1823 R. Heber Let. 6 Feb. in A. Heber Life R. Heber (1830) II. xxi. 122 I am really almost worked off my legs.
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer (1891) 159 Girls, who will dance him off his legs, unless he's very fit indeed.
1977 R. Park Swords & Crowns & Rings 190 Claudie and Iris, worked off their legs at the shop, tottered home late at night with bits of Belgian sausage and potato salad.
(c) Into the air; off the ground.
ΚΠ
1749 G. West tr. Lucian Of Gymnastick Exercises in tr. Pindar Odes p. clvi Tell me, Solon, what those Young Fellows are about... One of them, as you see, has lifted his Antagonist off his Legs, dashed him upon the Ground, and falling upon him, will not suffer him to rise.
1834 Farmer's Mag. May 13/1 Perhaps one of the best wrestles during the day was that between Nathaniel Robson and John Ewins, who was fairly lifted off his legs and compelled to measure his length on the grass by the former.
1928 Times 17 Dec. 17/5 The sensation of being lifted off one's legs is rare.
2005 Afr. News (Nexis) 24 Aug. A policeman who observed how the crowd had besieged her in the area and had come to her rescue was swept off his legs and carried away by the street urchins.
b. on (also †upon) one's legs.
(a) In a standing position; upright.
(i) gen. Frequently in to get on (also †upon) one's legs and variants. Cf. foot n. and int. Phrases 2a(a), to get on one's feet at get v. Phrasal verbs 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of standing up or rising > rise or be standing [verb (intransitive)]
standOE
to get on (also upon) one's legs1578
raise1884
1578 M. Tyler tr. D. Ortúñez de Calahorra Mirrour Princely Deedes xxxiv. sig. N.v The Gyant being of greate courage, and enforcing himselfe to indure the remnaunt, got on his legges, and..awayted Rosicleer.
1622 L. Digges tr. G. de Céspedes y Meneses Gerardo i. iii. 146 Had not our Gentleman beene on his legges,..and his whole selfe leaning to the Barke of a greene Willow, doubtlesse his fancie might (as a fained dreame) haue shaped, the Cottage, Shepheard, Voice, and Song.
1799 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 1 22 He was obliged to be on his legs the whole day.
1862 G. Borrow Wild Wales III. xiii. 126 Instantly the hound started upon his legs.
1969 A. Fugard Boesman & Lena (1971) ii. 55 Come!.. On your legs! We're going.
2009 P. Saris-Bertelsmann tr. F. W. Saris Darwin Meets Einstein 43 Ivan had a huge bottle of vodka at his mouth and emptied it in one gulp. Minutes later he could not stand on his legs anymore.
(ii) spec. for the purpose of speaking in public, esp. to argue for or against an opinion, action, etc. Frequently in to get on (also upon) one's (hind) legs and variants.
ΚΠ
1705 Observator 31 Jan. At last a worthy City Mouse stood up on its hind Legs, and made a Proposal how it should be done.
1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man ii. 24 When he speaks upon his legs, by the lord he's prodigious.
1792 J. Almon Anecd. Life W. Pitt (octavo ed.) I. xii. 230 Mr. Pitt upon his legs in the House of Commons, charged [etc.].
1801 G. Rose Diaries (1860) I. 321 We found Mr. Sheridan on his legs, moving the adjournment of the House to Monday, to get rid of Mr. Nicholl's motion.
1832 J. P. Collier Diary 18 Feb. in Old Man's Diary (1871) 24 Mathews and his wife (who only appeared once for a few minutes) were quite upon their hind legs.
1887 J. R. Lowell Democracy & Other Addr. 30 Before the authorized and responsible debaters get on their legs.
1925 V. Woolf Mrs. Dalloway 114 Solemnly Richard Dalloway got on his hind legs and said that no decent man ought to read Shakespeare's sonnets.
1964 J. Masters Trial at Monomoy i. 26 That's why I'm on my hind legs now, asking you folks to keep calm.
2005 Daily Record (Glasgow) (Nexis) 30 Sept. 13 So it's a bit rich chums to watch the PM getting upon his hind legs and receiving an ovation for all that.
(b) In good health, esp. well enough to be up and about. Frequently in to set (a person) on (also †upon) his (also her, etc.) legs and variants: to restore (a person) to health. Cf. foot n. and int. Phrases 2a(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > [phrase] > in fair health
to set (a person) on (also upon) his (also her, etc.) legs1587
among the middlings1826
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 57 A Straunger..takes such tender care Of him,..As both recouers limmes and gettes his former strength, And settes this feeble seruant vp vpon his legges at length.
1698 G. Powell Imposture Defeated iii. 25 Gus. Iun. Is then the Duke recover'd, and my Friend the happy man, that wrought the wondrous Cure? Ped. Look ye, Sir, your Friend with some of my help, has set the Duke upon his Legs again.
1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 173 The weapon has missed your vitals, and only glanced along the rib; be of good courage; I engage, in a few weeks, to set you once more upon your legs.
1866 W. Collins Armadale iii. xii ‘Gin-and-bitters will put you on your legs again,’ whispered this Samaritan setter-right of the alcoholic disasters of mankind.
1928 C. S. Lewis Let. 25 Feb. (2000) I. 745 I am now on my legs again and indeed much better than I have been for many weeks.
2010 Austral. Mag. (Nexis) 14 Aug. 14 She was very sick, very ill, but she wanted to stay alive until the party. She was so proud to be on her legs again. She attended the party.
(c) figurative. In a secure, prosperous, or favourable position; spec. so as to be financially self-sufficient. Frequently in to set (a person) on (also †upon) his (also her, etc.) legs, esp. with the implication of providing financial assistance. Also in extended use. Cf. to get (or set) (a person or thing) on his (her, etc.) feet at foot n. and int. Phrases 2a(d).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > cause to prosper or flourish [verb (transitive)] > put (a person) in prosperous condition
on one's feetOE
to set upa1616
to set (a person) on (also upon) his (also her, etc.) legs1632
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > promotion or help forward > promote or help forward (a person, plan, etc.) [verb (transitive)]
furtherc888
fremeOE
filsenc1175
fosterc1175
speeda1240
theec1250
advancec1300
upraisea1340
increasec1380
forthbearc1400
exploit?a1439
aid1502
to set forward(s)1530
farther1570
facilite1585
to set forthward1588
forward1598
facilitate1599
accommodate1611
succeed1613
bespeed1615
to set (a person) on (also upon) his (also her, etc.) legs1632
subserve1645
push1758
support1779
leg up1817
1632 R. Sanderson 12 Serm. 494 A pound, that would..put him into fresh trading, set him vp on his legs, and make him a man for ever.
1698 J. Collier Short View Immorality Eng. Stage Pref. sig. A4v Throwing in a Word or two; To..keep the English [language] upon its Legs.
1861 A. Trollope Tales of all Countries 132 But at any rate you might have the civility to listen to me when I am endeavouring to put you on your legs.
1884 Sat. Rev. 7 June 731/1 That English credit is not good enough to set Egypt..on her legs again.
2006 Times of India 22 Nov. 27/3 A clutch of east-Asian countries plus India should be active in ‘coalitions of the willing’ set the WTO [i.e. the World Trade Organization] on its legs again.
c. on (also †upon) one's last legs. Formerly also †to one's last legs, †near one's last legs (obsolete).
(a) At or near the end of one's life; close to death.In quot. 1614 as part of an extended metaphor.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [noun] > point of
death's gateOE
the gate(s of death1340
lasta1382
(in) the article (formerly also articles) of death1483
death's door1515
the valley of the shadow of death1535
(one's) last gasp1564
death door1601
extremity1602
on one's last legs1614
verge1750
the Great (Continental) Divide1908
the world > life > death > dead person or the dead > [adjective] > dying
deadlyc893
swelting?a1400
dyingc1450
at (the) utterance1525
in (the, his) extremes1551
parting1562
Acherontic1597
ending1600
departing1603
on one's last legs1614
expiring1635
mortifying1649
morient1679
upon one's last stretch1680
gasping1681
à la mort1700
moribund1721
outward-bound1809
terminal1854
on the brink of the grave1872
defunctive1929
1614 I. T. Horrible Creuel & Bloudy Murther sig. A4 The doating World limping on hir last legges.
a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Old Law (1656) v. 59 Eug. My husband goes upon his last houre now. 1. Cour. On his last legs I am sure.
1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love ii. 25 He had brought me to my last legs.
1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret ii. 43 You was pretty near your last legs.
1798 C. Stearns Maid of Groves ii. iv. 207 Fayther's on his last legs—He has had another right snap of the gout.
1870 L. M. Alcott Let. 11 Aug. in E. D. Cheney L. M. Alcott (1889) ix. 245 The Emperor is on his last legs in every way. He is sick..and so nervous he can't command the army as he wanted to.
1974 W. Foley Child in Forest 73 'Im do only come to see if I be on me last legs.
2005 B. Keating & S. Keating Blood Sisters (2006) xxvii. 514 He's in hospital in Nairobi. On his last legs, poor man.
(b) figurative. On the brink of ruin or collapse; almost completely worn out or spent as a force.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > tribulation, trouble, or affliction > having no resources left > at the end of resources
on one's last legs1678
1678 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Prov. (ed. 2) 89 A Bankrupt... He goes on's last legs.
1753 Pædo-baptism ii. 37 As his conclusion is now come to it's last legs; so it will be hard set, to maintain it's ground.
1846 T. De Quincey Syst. Heavens in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Sept. 569/1 If the Earth were on her last legs.
1895 Sunday Herald (Syracuse, N.Y.) 13 Jan. 11/5 Members wish to refute the assertions..that Hayes council ‘is on its last legs’. Never in the history of the council was it in better shape.
1952 Good Housek. (U.S. ed.) Dec. 102/2 All her sheets and pillowcases were on their last legs, and most of the New York stores were having August White Sales.
2003 B. Trapido Frankie & Stankie vii. 138 The green buses are always on their last legs, belching out streams of black smoke and overloaded with downtown workers.
d. to stand on (also †upon) one's own (two) legs: (originally) to stand upright without assistance; (subsequently) to be self-sufficient or independent, esp. to support oneself financially. Also in extended use. Cf. to stand on (also upon) one's own (two) feet at foot n. and int. Phrases 2a(e).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > independence > be independent [verb (intransitive)] > be self-sufficient
to suffice to oneselfc1475
to shift for oneselfa1513
to work out (one's own) salvation1535
reside1610
to stand on (also upon) one's own (two) feet1621
to stand on (also upon) one's own (two) legs1623
shirk1843
to fish for oneself1867
to live on one's hump1909
1623 P. Massinger Duke of Millaine ii. i. sig. E1 The Duke stands now on his owne legs, and needs No nurse to leade him.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 7 Jan. (1972) VII. 6 I do fear those two families..are quite broken—and I must now stand upon my own legs.
1742 G. Turnbull Observ. Liberal Educ. 19 How then would you have young men able to stand upon their own legs, so as not to be dupes and bubbles when they come into the world?
1755 F. Brooke Old Maid No. 4. (1764) 24 I acknowledge you have had pretty good success, considering your daring attempt to stand on your own legs.
1818 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 33 9 A thing totally destitute of talent could never expect long to stand upon its own legs.
1888 E. A. Bennett Freemen or Slaves ii.30 You'll be a molly-coddle all your days; stand on your own legs, man—stand on your own legs.
1912 Collier's 12 Oct. 29/2 To learn to stand on your own two legs, and look out of your own two eyes, and work with your own two hands, and feed yourself—or starve!
2002 D. Tripathi in A. K. Bagchi Money & Credit Indian Hist. 139 The infuriated directors were in no mood to accept the erroneous interpretation which, if acted upon, would cripple the bank even before it stood on its own legs.
e. to come upon one's own legs: to do something of one's own free will, on one's merit, or without assistance from others. Also in extended use. Cf. on one's (own) feet (or †foot) at foot n. and int. Phrases 3b. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1628 J. Preston Treat. Effectual Faith 54 in Breast-plate of Faith (1631) Then When the Holy Ghost hath wrought upon the will, and hath turned that, then a man commeth upon his owne legs, and is moved from an inward principle of his owne.
1675 L. Addison Present State Jews ii. 25 He was certain whosoever lived piously and kept the Law, could not miss of being happy: or arriving the bliss to come upon his own leggs.
1866 Times 14 Mar. 9/5 Under the previous system, the ox, though he came on his own legs to the town, did not come alone, but in charge of a drover, whose services are now dispensed with.
1901 Financial Times 2 Aug. 3/2 The automobile is coming, has come, to stay, but it ought to come on its own legs, and not ask the railway carriage to take it up and carry it when it is tired.
1921 O. M. Salter Martha & Mary ii. v. 258 ‘If I come to your house at all I must come on my own legs,’ he said, enigmatically, and refused to be cajoled. Owen knew it was because he would not sit beneath Mary's charity.
f. to fall on (also †upon) one's legs: to be lucky; to find oneself in a favourable or successful position, esp. by good fortune. Cf. to fall on (also upon) one's feet at fall v. Phrases 1e. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > have good fortune
light?c1225
urec1440
to fall on (also upon) one's feet1574
to fall on (also upon) one's legs1723
to strike it rich1834
to strike oil1860
to luck out1902
to hit the jackpot1910
to bottom on (also upon) gold1926
to strike lucky1951
to hit (also strike, etc.) pay dirt1953
to land on one's feet1958
1723 Duke of Wharton True Briton No. 26. 227 Private Men oftentimes fall on their Legs, and find Friends to relieve, or at least to commiserate them.
1768 J. Bentham Let. 30 Aug. in Corr. (1968) I. 133 I have also met with a College acquaintance. Throw me any where, you see, I can fall upon my Legs as well without as with you.
1841 E. Bulwer-Lytton Night & Morning II. ii. iii. 121 A man who has plenty of brains generally falls on his legs.
1886 L. M. Alcott Jo's Boys iv. 80 Don't fret, old dear; Emil is one of the happy-go-lucky sort who always fall on their legs.
1902 P. H. Fitzgerald Recoll. Dublin Castle & Dublin Society 188 Oh, my boy, he's fallen on his legs as usual; gone and married an heiress.
1910 Irish Homestead 24 Dec. 1066 Our exiles generally fall on their legs.
g. on the leg: (of an animal, esp. a dog or a horse) having undesirably or disproportionately long legs; having legs which are longer than is usual for the species or standard for the breed.
ΚΠ
1859 New Sporting Mag. Aug. 79 He is a trifle on the leg, but he looks what he was—a very clever horse at his fences.
1874 Bell's Life in London 19 Dec. 3/1 Both [dogs] are a bit on the leg, and to some eyes light in the body.
1901 Colman's Rural World 2 Jan. 7/2 The same exhibitors led among the yearlings..a pig that is a trifle on the leg but strong on his toes and very smooth in all his lines.
1999 K. Fox Racing Tribe (2009) x. 114 They exchange the same snippets of jargon... Such-and-such a runner is ‘a bit on the leg’, while another ‘fills the eye’.
P2. In other adverbial phrases.
a. as right (also straight) as my leg: in good condition, in good order; spec. correct, accurate, true. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1636 J. Taylor Coaches Overthrow (single sheet) The Sick, the Weake, the Lame also, a Coach for ease might beg: When they on foot might lightly goe, that are as Right's my Leg.
1664 J. Wilson Cheats ii. iv. 26 T. T. All's well, and as right as my Leg. Bil. And that's crooked to my knowledge.
1719 in T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth IV. 141 Her bald-pate did look like an Ostrich's Egg, This Lady (thought I) is as right as my Leg.
1738 J. Swift Treat. Polite Conversat. i. 38 Lady Answ. But, Mr. Neverout, I wonder why such a handsome strait young Gentleman as you, does not get some rich Widow. Lord Sp. Strait! ay, strait as my Leg, and that's crooked at Knee.
1793 M. Pilkington Rosina III. xii. 88 Right, my old Holefernes! (exclaimed Richard, clapping him on the back in an ecstacy,) right as my leg!
b. all legs and wings.
(a) Having disproportionately long limbs; awkward or ungraceful in gait or bearing; gangly. Used typically of an adolescent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily height > tallness > [adverb] > and thin
to be all legs and wings1777
lankily1903
1777 Morning Chron. 14 Feb. A young gentleman, remarkable for being tall and thin, attempted to be smart on a lady,..when she retorted, ‘that he was all legs and wings’.
1837 F. Marryat Snarleyyow (ed. 2) I. x. 126 [He] came shambling, all legs and wings, up the hatchway.
1902 C. Garvice Kyra's Fate xiv. 108 She had not been pretty, but had been an angular school-girl, all legs and wings and sharp corners.
1939 F. Thompson Lark Rise v. 98 Like a moll heron, all legs and wings.
1945 Times 9 May 8/4 Sun Storm..was not a racehorse at all. He was an unfledged youngster, all legs and wings.
(b) Nautical. Of a sailing ship: = overmasted adj. Now historical.
ΚΠ
1837 Bentley's Misc. Jan. 626 They belonged to a craft as laid in the harbour,—a reg'lar clipper, all legs and wings.
1881 Naval Encyl. 431/2 Legs and Wings, said of a vessel with masts of great height, and which consequently has too great spread of sail.
1904 E. R. Fremantle Navy as I have known It iii. 45 Her mainmast truck to water line was..147 feet, so that she was ‘all legs and wings’.
1988 Austral. Financial Rev. (Nexis) 27 Oct. 67 The exhibition includes a print of a ship nicknamed Giblet Pie because she was ‘all legs and wings’.
c. in fine (also good, high) leg: in high spirits, elated. Cf. in fine, good, high, etc., feather at feather n. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > [adjective] > elated
jollyc1305
elated1615
elevateda1640
on (also upon) the high ropes (also rope)1672
high1695
elate1702
uppisha1704
vaudyc1720
in fine (also good, high) leg1808
exalté1831
in high snuff1840
bucked1907
thrilled1908
twitterpated1942
1808 S. Smith Let. 8 Oct. in S. Holland Mem. S. Smith (1855) II. 38 The Mufti in high leg about the Spaniards.
1963 G. Heyer False Colours (2008) iii. 46 No one knows better than me the sort of bobbery he'll get up to when he's in high leg, but he wouldn't play nip-shot now .
1986 R. Thomas White Dove v. 120 Feeling in good leg are you, Nick boy?
1991 R. Coover Pinocchio in Venice ii. 27 You're showing the rope, I know, but a little supper, a glass of wine, and you'll soon be in fine leg!
P3. Phrases with verbs.
a. Originally and chiefly Theatre slang. break a leg: used to wish a person (esp. an actor) well before he or she gives a performance; ‘good luck’. [The semantic motivation is unclear; the likeliest explanation is that, according to theatrical superstition, it is considered unlucky to say the words ‘good luck’ to a performer. Many other suggestions have been made for the origin of the phrase, but few of them are supported by any evidence. A partial formal parallel is shown by German Hals- und Beinbruch!, lit. ‘may you break your neck and your leg!’ (1902 or earlier in a hunting context, 1913 or earlier in a theatre context), but evidence for direct influence of the German well-wishing phrase on the English use appears to be lacking.]
ΚΠ
1925 F. Baldwin Thresholds 75 You say ‘I hope you break a leg’—or your neck—or some such hope of calamity.
1951 San Mateo (Calif.) Times 28 Aug. 16/6 When my cue came and I started to walk onstage, I heard her call to me: ‘Break a leg’.
1990 J. Cantalupo & T. C. Renner Body Mike 10 ‘You're on, Joey..showtime.’ I turned and walked toward the door leading to the courtroom... ‘Break a leg, Joey.’
2005 J. Mullins School Play Stars v. 31 Rosa takes a peek through the curtains and looks out at the audience... ‘Hey Jules, it's time. Break a leg!’
b. to change (his, her, etc.) legs (or leg) and variants: (of a horse) to change step; to lead with the other leg. Cf. change v. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [verb (intransitive)] > change gait or step
to change (his, her, etc.) legs (or leg)1667
break1839
1667 Duke of Newcastle New Method to dress Horses ii. 150 When the Horse is upon the Motion, in the Swiftness of a Gallop, he Changes his Leggs Cross; which is the Action of a Trott.
1774 Gentleman's Mag. May 202/1 If a horse has much load either on him or behind him, he changes legs the instant he has brought that which is in action to a right angle with the ground.
1857 G. A. Lawrence Guy Livingstone ix He [sc. the horse] is in a white lather of foam, and changes his leg twice as he approaches.
1923 Scotsman 12 Sept. 9/3 Close home the filly appeared to change her legs, but this was probably due to the strong hold that Hulme had on her.
2007 Horse & Rider Oct. 22/1 Try to feel if he changes his legs as you were on the wrong leg around the last turn.
c. to cock (also lift, †heave, etc.) (up) one's leg and variants: (of a dog) to urinate. Later also of other animals or (humorously) of a person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dog > [verb (intransitive)] > urinate
to cock (also lift, heave, etc.) (up) one's legc1405
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Parson's Tale (Ellesmere) (1877) §858 An hound whan he comth by the Roser..though he may nat pisse, yet wole he heue vp his leg and make a contenance to pisse.
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 46 As dotit dog..liftis his leg apon loft thoght he nought list pische.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iv. iv. 36 When did'st thou see me heaue vp my leg, and make water against a Gentlewomans farthingale. View more context for this quotation
1754 Connoisseur No. 12 (1755) 71 A Hound..came jumping into the Hall, and running to the Justice-Seat lifted up his leg against the Judge's robe.
1781 H. Walpole Let. 6 May (1858) VIII. 38 He lifted up his leg, and just squirted contempt on them.
1810 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1959) III. 292 A man accustomed to cast words in metre and familiar with descriptive Poets & Tourists..must be troubled with a mental Strangury, if he could not lift up his leg six times at six different Corners, and each time p—— a canto.
1963 Times Lit. Suppl. 28 June 482/2 Cocking a leg at every regulation a mongrel dog won fame in Italy a few years ago by his habit of riding on trains.
1969 G. Greene Trav. with my Aunt i. vi. 52 The dogs..came up to the bed..it was lucky neither of them had raised a leg.
2010 J. Skivington Miracle Man xv. 238 Turning quickly away, he almost tripped over Limpy's dog, which was about to cock his leg at him.
d. Scottish. to draw a person's leg: to try to deceive or mislead another person in a playful way or as a joke. Cf. to pull a person's leg at pull v. Phrases 7a. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > banter or good-humoured ridicule > banter [verb (transitive)] > make a fool of
playc1410
fordote1563
assot1583
noddy1600
noddypoop1640
to make a monkey (out) of1767
to draw a person's leg1851
rib1912
1851 W. Anderson Rhymes 196 He preached, an' at last drew the auld body's leg, Sae the kirk got the gatherin's o' our Aunty Meg.
1883 W. Aitken Lays of Line 63 Nae maitter hoo sairly his leg ye micht draw, Ye will ne'er howk a quarrel oot o' Sawney M'Graw.
1889 J. M. Barrie Window in Thrums vii. 64 Na, na, Marget, ye dinna draw my leg.
1928 A. E. W. Mason Prisoner in Opal iii. 27 ‘You draw my leg, eh?’ he said; and proud, as he always was of his mastery of English idioms, he repeated the phrase: ‘Yes, you draw my leg.’
e. British slang. to get (also †lay, †lift, have, throw) one's leg over and variants: (chiefly of a man) to have sexual intercourse. Cf. legover n.
(a) With over as a preposition.In quot. 1599 as part of an extended double entendre; cf. ride v. 20.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity [verb (intransitive)] > have sexual intercourse > specifically of a man
to hit the master-vein1592
possess1592
to get one's leg over1599
roger1763
to have one's way with1884
to dip (one's) wick1958
to lay pipe1967
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with > specifically of a man
jape1382
overliec1400
swivec1405
foilc1440
overlay?a1475
bed1548
possess1592
knock1598
to get one's leg over1599
enjoy1602
poke1602
thrum1611
topa1616
riga1625
swingea1640
jerk1650
night-work1654
wimble1656
roger1699
ruta1706
tail1778
to touch up1785
to get into ——c1890
root1922
to knock up1934
lay1934
pump1937
prong1942
nail1948
to slip (someone) a length1949
to knock off1953
thread1958
stuff1960
tup1970
nut1971
pussy1973
service1973
1599 H. Porter Pleasant Hist. Two Angrie Women of Abington sig. C Phil, Be they but Iades? Fran. No faith my wag string here Did founder one the last time that he rid, The best gray Nag that euer I laid my leg ouer.
1656 S. Holland Don Zara ii. i. 62 This vile woman, who has most egregiously abused the truest and Noblest Servant that ever laid leg over Lady.
1684 T. D'Urfey Choice New Songs 15 Let no sneaking Rebel e're lift a Leg o're thee.
1744 ‘H. Polesworth’ Hist. John Bull: Pt. III xx. 49 Bob..took John's Right-Hand, full of Gold as it was, and kiss'd and slabber'd it, as though it had been the Lips of the Lass he had last laid his Leg over.
1969 in Victorian Stud. (1971) 15 61 Let the man have a pint, and let his wife go to the pictures once a week; and if he gets his leg over her, he's quite satisfied.
2003 Marie Claire Dec. 177/1 He's not much more than a serial-cursing Lad About Town looking to get his leg over the nearest woman.
(b) With over as an adverb.
ΚΠ
1975 J. Pidgeon Flame i. 21 Still quite a one for the birds is our Jack. He'll be getting his leg over in the pension queue.
1980 D. Morris Tribal Words (typescript) (O.E.D. Archive) 391 It is sometimes said of a player that ‘he played so well today, he must have got his leg over last night’.
1991 M. Curtin Plastic Tomato Cutter (1996) xviii. 144 Throwing the leg over at random is the very stuff of sport yet in certain marriages it is not done.
2007 Now 21 May 11 When I was stuck at home on painkillers, he was getting his leg over.
f. to give leg (or legs): to flee or run away with stolen goods or contraband. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > run away or flee
fleec825
afleeeOE
atrina1000
atfleec1000
to run awayOE
to turn to or into flighta1225
to turn the ridgec1225
atrenc1275
atshakec1275
to give backa1300
flemec1300
startc1330
to take (on oneself) the flighta1500
to take the back upon oneselfa1500
fly1523
to take (also betake) (oneself) to one's legs1530
to flee one's way1535
to take to one's heels1548
flought?1567
fuge1573
to turn taila1586
to run off1628
to take flighta1639
refugea1641
to run for it1642
to take leg1740
to give (also take) leg-bail1751
bail1775
sherry1788
to pull foot1792
fugitate1830
to tail off (out)1830
to take to flight1840
to break (strike, etc.) for (the) tall timber1845
guy1879
to give leg (or legs)1883
rabbit1887
to do a guy1889
high-tail1908
to have it on one's toes1958
1883 Daily News 15 May 7/2 The best way is to make a snatch and give legs for it, it's better than loitering.
1896 H. N. Shore Old Foye Days 24 He had on a coat with..large pockets in the tails, and when the scuffle began he clapped the tub [of liquor] into it, and gave leg home as fast as he could pull foot.
g. Phrases with have (or an equivalent predicative prepositional phrase).
(a) not to have a leg to stand on and variants: to be without support; spec. (a) to have no grounding in truth or evidence; (b) to hold a weak position in an argument or be without the support of the law in a legal matter.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > contrary evidence > lack evidence [phrase]
not to have a leg to stand on1594
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. C3 Faine he would have patcht out a polt-foote tale, but (God he knowes) it had not one true legge to stand on.
a1645 W. Laud Hist. Troubles & Tryal (1695) 485 My Lord's fine Simile hath neither Crutch nor Leg to stand on.
1757 Gentleman's Mag. Aug. 343/2 He is still a little remnant of a ministry that seems not to have more than half a leg to stand on.
1798 M. Hays Appeal to Men Great Brit. 117 The truth is that they have not a leg to stand upon, when examined upon the principles of reason.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 8 As if the Yankee man were determined to leave the..brigadier without a leg to stand upon, as a lawyer would say.
1889 St. G. Mivart Truth 131 The latter hypothesis..has not a leg to stand on.
1944 E. S. Gardner Case of Black-eyed Blonde (1948) xvi. 158 Mildred had gone to a lawyer, and the lawyer had advised her that she didn't have a legal leg to stand on.
1973 J. Wainwright Pride of Pigs 179 You haven't a leg to stand on... You don't even out-rank me.
2003 H. Holt Death in Pract. (2004) xvii. 226 You can whistle for the money, Gillespie, you haven't got a leg to stand on.
(b) Scottish. to have one's leg over the harrows: to be out of control. Also to get one's leg over the harrows. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality viii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. II. 191 ‘She has her leg ower the harrows now,’ said Cuddie, ‘stop her wha can.’
1829 W. Scott Jrnl. 28 Feb. (1946) 28 I hope the Duke of Wellington will keep the horned beast [sc. popery] well in hand, and not let her get her leg over the harrows.
(c) to have the legs of (also on): to be able to go faster than; to outstrip or beat in a race.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (transitive)] > gain (ground) upon > catch up or overtake > outstrip > by running
of-runOE
overruna1425
outrunc1460
fore-run1513
to have (also get) the heels of1649
to have the legs of (also on)1861
to give a stone and a beating to1885
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. III. viii. 140 The beggar had the legs of me.
1886 A. C. Hobart Sketches Life xiii. 135 I knew we had the legs of her [sc. a gunboat].
1924 J. Galsworthy White Monkey (1927) ii. xi. 147 He was not gaining, Wilfrid had the legs on him—to overtake him, he must run!
1994 Sporting Life 28 Oct. 15/6 His previous win, at Goodwood, was over this slightly longer trip and he should have the legs of his eight rivals here.
2004 J. Leigh & D. Woodhouse Football Lexicon (2006) 114 If a winger has the legs on his full back, he is just plain quicker.
(d) to have a leg: (of a man) to be good-looking or physically attractive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > have pleasing appearance [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of persons
to have a leg1879
1879 G. Meredith Egoist I. ii. 16 And, says Mrs Mountstuart, while grand phrases were mouthing round about him ‘You see he had a leg’.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 28 Mar. 2/2 He first wore breeches at the Coronation of Queen Victoria, and there was a curious anticipation of a phrase immortal in literature in his statement that his first Court suit revealed to him ‘that he had a leg’.
h. to keep one's legs: to remain standing upright; to keep oneself from falling or collapsing. Cf. to keep one's feet at foot n. and int. Phrases 2c(a). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of standing up or rising > rise or be standing [verb (intransitive)] > be standing > without falling
to keep one's feet1579
to keep one's legs1639
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. xxiv. 210 Here the steady ship had the better of it; and those souldiers who best kept their legges could best use their arms.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 5 They [sc. those who serve on a ship of war]..walk firm, where all other Creatures tumble; and seldom can keep their Legs long, when they get upon Terra Firma.
?1770 Adventures of Actor iii. 44 A thick mist overspread her eyes, and she could not keep her legs. She fell, and bit the earth.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 233 The fighting men..were so much exhausted that they could scarcely keep their legs.
1858 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 345 Carried most of the way, not able to keep his legs.
1991 J. E. Woods tr. C. Ransmayr Terrors of Ice & Darkness vii. 61 The Tyrolean hunters take turns being seasick and can barely keep their legs.
i. to shake a loose (also free) leg: to do something indulgent or hedonistic; to act according to one's desires without being restrained by law, religious beliefs, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > be licentious [verb (intransitive)] > act or behave
ragea1400
to play the wanton1529
to play the wanton's part1529
ramp1530
wanton1589
wantonize1592
colta1599
wantonize1611
lasciviate1628
to shake a loose (also free) leg1743
Corinthianize1810
playboy1950
1743 J. Worsdale in T. Cibber Cibber & Sheridan 77 Joy, Joy to all Mortals..Who from Bailiffs, and Spungers, and Straw-beds are freed, And may shake a loose Leg now on each side the Tweed.
1836 W. H. Ainsworth Rookwood (rev. ed.) iii. xxiv. 309 While luck lasts, the highwayman shakes a loose leg!
1856 H. Mayhew Great World London 87 Those who love to ‘shake a free leg’, and lead a roving life, as they term it.
1908 ‘J. Oxenham’ Pearl of Pearl Island vi. 264 Meg's given me a holiday, and I'm going to shake a free leg in Guernsey.
1996 Times (Nexis) 21 Aug. Darling, in proper Catholicism you can shake such a loose leg. I was brought up among Liverpool Catholics. Out of Mass, into the pub.
j. to show a leg.
(a) Originally Navy. To get out of bed, esp. in order to perform a task or in readiness for the day ahead.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > going swiftly on foot > go swiftly on foot [verb (intransitive)]
to stir one's stumpsa1500
to leg it?1587
skelp1721
split1790
to show a leg1818
to go the pace1829
step1856
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > bed related to sleep or rest > go to bed or retire to rest [verb (intransitive)] > get up or rise
arisec950
riseOE
risec1175
uprisea1400
to dress upc1400
rouse1577
to get up1583
up1635
unroost1751
to turn out1801
to show a leg1818
to roll out1884
to hit the deck1918
1818 ‘A. Burton’ Adventures Johnny Newcome 47 ‘Hoy! shew a leg, and save a clue!—’ Rouse! rouse!—heave out!
1831 B. Hall Fragm. Voy. & Trav. I. 247 I say, Master Doughy, do you mean to relieve the deck tonight? Here it's almost two bells, and you have hardly shewn a leg yet.
1854 ‘C. Bede’ Further Adventures Mr. Verdant Green (ed. 2) vii. 61 He used to sing out, ‘You must show a leg, sir!’ and..kept on hammering at the door till I did.
1890 A. Conan Doyle Sign of Four viii. 145 He tapped at the winder—about three it would be. ‘Show a leg, matey,’ says he: ‘time to turn out guard.’ My old man woke up Jim..and away they went.
1916 ‘Taffrail’ Pincher Martin ii. 19 They were all roused out of their warm hammocks by the strident shouting of the boatswain's mates... ‘All hands! turn out, turn out, turn out! show a leg, show a leg, show a leg!’
1969 ‘P. Alding’ Murder among Thieves xii. 12 ‘Come on, me sleeping beauty, rise and shine, show a leg,’ said P. C. Mottram, with indecent cheerfulness.
2004 Express (Nexis) 27 Mar. 63 Good morning campers, show a leg you lads and lasses, rub the sleep out of your eyes and prepare for another grand day of fun.
(b) To run off, escape; to move at speed. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1821 P. Egan Real Life in London I. 137 The Jontleman..grabb'd his pocket-handkerchief, and was after shewing a leg, when a little boy that kept his oglers upon 'em,..let the cat out of the bag by bawling—Stop thief! [Shewing a leg—or, as it is sometimes called, giving leg bail—making the best use of legs to escape detection].
1837 R. M. Bird Nick of Woods I. 177 I'll fight for you, or run for you, take scalp or cut stick, shake fist or show leg, anything in reason or out of reason.
1840 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 3rd Ser. 60 So we showed a leg right off, trotted down-stairs, and into the coach in no time.
1887 H. Caine Deemster I. 221 He'd better show a leg if he don't want the rat's tail.
1944 Truth (Brisbane) 27 Aug. 5/1 (caption) He's off! ‘Bubbles’ Pegg (Souths) shows a leg and gets well away from Jack Kelleway's tackle.
k. to stretch one's legs. Formerly also to stretch out one's legs.
(a) To walk, to exercise the legs by walking; esp. to take the opportunity to go for a walk, typically outside, during a break between periods of sitting still or of being in a confined space.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > going on foot > go on foot [verb (intransitive)] > for exercise or recreation
walka1375
to take a walk1581
to take one's walk(s)1581
to stretch one's legs1584
purmeinea1614
fetch, rarely make a walk1694
to streek one's shanks, wame1788
constitutionalize1852
1584 W. Phiston Welspring Wittie Conceites 77 Spensippus, beyng willed..to stretch out his legges with going, answered: that hee liued not by legges, but by vnderstanding.
1607 A. Gorges in S. Purchas Pilgrims (1625) IV. x. xiv. 1951 [We] went ashoare, to stretch our legs in the Isle of Flores.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. v. 205 I would often fetch a walke, to stretch my legs, that were stifled with a stumbling beast.
1779 G. Keate Sketches from Nature (ed. 2) II. 208 I was glad after so long a confinement, to stretch my legs, and determined to walk home.
1798 Bell's Weekly Messenger 8 Apr. 110/2 It would be rather cruel to debar Jackey Bull the privilege of stretching his legs a bit on the Lord's-day.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby v. 40 Mr. Squeers got down at almost every stage—to stretch his legs as he said.
1872 Earl of Pembroke & G. H. Kingsley South Sea Bubbles i. 36 About every hour we stopped to change horses, when we took the opportunity to stretch our legs.
1899 J. Rodway In Guiana Wilds 30 Allan..began to feel cramped from remaining so long in one position; he wanted to stretch his legs.
1908 S. Murray Seven Legs Across Seas vi. iv. 308 We have reached Ghoom, the highest point on the line, where more passengers leave and others get out of the coaches to stretch their legs.
1968 D. Moraes My Son's Father ii. 21 Only when I climbed out to stretch my legs with my father..did I discover that the entire external length of the train.
2014 Fraser Coast (Queensland) Chron. (Nexis) 7 June 39 We stretched our legs along the long seafront of Herne Bay.
(b) To increase the speed of one's walking; to walk quickly, to run. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > increase speed > in walking or running
to set foot forward1548
to stretch one's legs1653
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler i. 1 I have stretch'd my legs up Tottenham Hil to overtake you. View more context for this quotation
1838 F. Maceroni Memoirs I. 469 Dolgorouky..being a huge, gigantic fellow, stretched out his legs so as to put little Durant literally upon the trot.
l. to take (also †betake) (†oneself) to one's legs: to run away, flee; (more generally) to run. Formerly also †to take leg. Cf. to take to one's heels at heel n.1 and int. Phrases 2d(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > run away or flee
fleec825
afleeeOE
atrina1000
atfleec1000
to run awayOE
to turn to or into flighta1225
to turn the ridgec1225
atrenc1275
atshakec1275
to give backa1300
flemec1300
startc1330
to take (on oneself) the flighta1500
to take the back upon oneselfa1500
fly1523
to take (also betake) (oneself) to one's legs1530
to flee one's way1535
to take to one's heels1548
flought?1567
fuge1573
to turn taila1586
to run off1628
to take flighta1639
refugea1641
to run for it1642
to take leg1740
to give (also take) leg-bail1751
bail1775
sherry1788
to pull foot1792
fugitate1830
to tail off (out)1830
to take to flight1840
to break (strike, etc.) for (the) tall timber1845
guy1879
to give leg (or legs)1883
rabbit1887
to do a guy1889
high-tail1908
to have it on one's toes1958
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 749/1 I take me to my legges, I flye a waye, je me mets en fuyte.
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. iv. 34 Come knock and enter, and no sooner in, But euery man betake him to his legs. View more context for this quotation
1635 L. Foxe North-west Fox 25 He presently tooke to his legges and runne away.
1740 L. Whyte Poems 94 Ralph thus involv'd in Debt took Leg.
1854 H. A. Stern Dawnings Light in East i. 4 The driver, dreading the whip which I held in my hand, betook himself to his legs, and was off in an instant.
1861 H. A. Jacobs Incidents Life Slave Girl iv. 17 [He] was a perfect coward when a tussle ensued between him and white boys of his own size. On such occasions he always took to his legs.
1887 F. E. Brooks in W. T. Ross Voice Culture & Elocution (rev. ed.) 248 On either side the fat hens take leg, While others announce a new-laid egg.
1936 Manch. Guardian 4 May 13/6 The younger enthusiasts took to their legs and ran with the procession along Portland Street.
2000 J. Tulloch Season Ticket iii. 70 They ran through the pouring rain, two of them falling, but immediately picking themselves up again and taking to their legs.
m. to break the leg: see break v. 7a. to feel one's legs: see feel v. Phrases 3. to give a person a dead leg: see dead leg n. 3. to hang a leg: see hang v. 4c. to pull a person's leg: see pull v. Phrases 7a. to put one's best leg first and variants: see best adj., n.1, and adv. Phrases 1c(b)(ii). to put one's best leg forward and variants: see best adj., n.1, and adv. Phrases 1c(b)(i). to recover one's legs: see recover v.1 14c. to shake a leg: see shake v. 6f. to talk the hind leg off a donkey and variants: see talk v. 10.
P4. Miscellaneous phrases.
a. to be tied by the leg: to be rendered incapable of action or be prevented from doing something by circumstance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > restriction of free action > be constrained in free action [verb (intransitive)]
to be tied by the leg1692
lock-step1967
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restriction or limitation > be restricted or limited [verb (intransitive)] > be restricted in free action
to be tied by the leg1692
1692 Life William Fuller 23 Sir, says our Baronet, I am so tied by the Leg, that I despair of ever getting free from the daily Importunities of my good Friends here.
1781 J. Woodforde Diary 22 Aug. (1924) I. 319 I found..him rather low still, and fretting himself about being so tyed by the leg, in dancing backward and forward to Townshends with his great Company.
1832 F. Trollope Domest. Manners Amer. (ed. 2) I. xviii. 285 We should be obliged to pass the whole of Monday there, as the coach..would not arrive..till Tuesday morning. Thus..we were to be tied by the leg for four-and-twenty hours.
1931 J. Buchan Blanket of Dark (1933) xi. 241 While he was tied by the leg in Little Greece, what had become of the girl?
1999 P. O'Brian Blue at Mizzen (2000) x. 261 I am tied by the leg, you know. I am engaged, committed, to the Chilean government.
b. to fight at the leg: to do something underhand or unsporting in order to gain an advantage. Cf. low blow n. at low adj. and n.2 Compounds 3. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue at Leg To fight at the leg, to take unfair advantages, it being held unfair by back sword players to strike at the leg.
1845 ‘H. Hieover’ Stable Talk & Table Talk I. 17 [Blacklegging] has disgusted and driven so many men of family, rank, and wealth from the turf, from finding they must either be pigeoned, or, like the rest, ‘fight at the leg’ themselves.
c. Cricket.
(a) leg before wicket: a mode of dismissal in which the batter is judged to have obstructed, with the leg (or another part of the body) rather than the bat, a ball which would otherwise have hit the wicket. Used chiefly as an adverbial or adjectival phrase describing a batter's dismissal in this way. Abbreviated l.b.w.This mode of dismissal was introduced in 1774, probably to prevent batters from intentionally blocking a ball which might otherwise have hit the wicket, though by 1795 it had been extended to encompass accidental obstruction. Many slight modifications have been made to the Law since then.
Under the current Law, the batter's hands and gloves are considered part of the bat when holding it.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > dismissal of batsman > [adjective] > manner of dismissal
b.1769
leg before wicket1795
lbw1843
caught and bowled1875
spreadeagled1920
1774 Laws of Cricket (Ridley) 12 Or if the striker puts his Leg before the Wicket with a Design to stop the Ball, and actually prevents the Ball from hitting his Wicket by it [he is out].]
1795 S. Britcher Compl. List Grand Matches Cricket 28 (scorecard) Beldam..35 Leg before Wicket.
1850 ‘Bat’ Cricketer's Man. (rev. ed.) 47 The hitter is given out as..‘leg before wicket’.
1946 Times of India 3 June 10/4 Hill snicked Mankad through the slips to the boundary and in the next over survived a leg-before-wicket appeal from Shinde.
1985 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 26 Jan. 10/3 Lewis..swatted at a shortish delivery from Kelvin Williams, and was plumb leg before wicket at 52 for four.
2003 Newcastle (Austral.) Herald (Nexis) 6 Dec. 128 Justin Langer was dismissed leg before wicket 20 minutes into another rain-shortened day.
(b) leg before: = leg before wicket at Phrases 4c(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > other batting actions
backing-up1816
slip1833
wrist-play1851
leg before1867
follow-through1891
gardening1897
wrist-work1898
whip1903
back-lift1912
1867 Australasian 9 Mar. 300/4 The apparent sincerity of a..wicket-keeper, when appealing for a ‘leg before’, or a ‘bum’.
1882 Daily Tel. 20 May Blackham was out leg before to Lillywhite.
1927 Scotsman 1 Dec. 15/5 When play was restarted Staples obtained a leg-before decision against Siedle at 65.
1969 Wisden Cricketers' Almanack (ed. 106) 679 The use of pads instead of the bat was prevalent with six batsmen trapped leg before in the first innings.
2001 Times 14 Sept. 19/5 Hemp fell leg-before, pushing half-forward to Dean, before rain set in after lunch.
d. a leg in the full: see full adj., n.2, and adv. Phrases 2e(a)(iii). an arm and a leg: see arm n.1 Phrases 3f. the boot is on the other leg, the boot is on the wrong leg, to make one boot serve for either leg: see boot n.3 1b. to have a bone in one's leg: see bone n.1 Phrases 1f(b).

Compounds

C1. General attributive.
leg ache n.
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1597 W. Langham Garden of Health 614 (table) Legge ache.
1859 S. S. Madders Mabel Owen I. i. 17 Oh, those seasons of head ache and leg-ache.
1933 Scotsman 22 Aug. 6/5 If this new system does all that is claimed for it, driving should be even more greatly simplified and leg-ache..diminished.
2014 Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Nexis) 15 Nov. 18 All staff..are also now fully trained in the technique of pregnancy massage which is great for..easing lower back pain and leg ache.
leg amputation n.
ΚΠ
1782 J. Aitken Elements Theory & Pract. Physic & Surg. II. 502 Fore-arm amputation has the same speciality with leg-amputation.
1882 Jrnl. Statist. Soc. 45 479 97 cases of thigh and leg amputation, of which 26 died.
1960 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 22 Oct. 1215/1 A study of 35 leg-amputation specimens by these authors revealed no evidence in any instance of the acute arterial lesions described by Buerger.
2014 Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 26 July 23 Clinic staff see about 350 patients a month, for issues ranging from foot ulcers to infections that require leg amputations.
leg amputee n.
ΚΠ
1922 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 21 Jan. 107/2 Arm and leg amputees can manage motor cars, even without any special fittings.
1983 Times 2 Dec. 15/7 The first thing a physiotherapist teaches a leg amputee is how to get up.
2014 N.Y. Post (Nexis) 13 Sept. 10 The first double leg amputee to compete in the Olympics.
leg cramp n.
ΚΠ
1869 Liverpool Mercury 4 Sept. A swimmer seized with leg-cramp would instinctively throw his head as far back as it would go.
1955 Washington Post 3 July e2/3 (headline) New drug relives leg cramp sufferers.
2010 Daily Mirror (Nexis) 27 Oct. (Features section) 38 Nocturnal leg cramps affect 13 million of us a year and are one of the five main factors that cause us to wake in the night.
leg garment n.
ΚΠ
1839 H. R. Schoolcraft Algic Researches II. 104 I believe..that this is the moon in which fire attracts, and I fear your foot and leg garments have been drawn in.
1962 Times of India 3 Aug. 6/4 A girl's leg-garments are known by their varying lengths.
2008 B. Evaristo Blonde Roots (2009) 141 Upon their bottom halves were leg garments that came down to the knee, in some cases tied with ribbons!
leg hair n.
ΚΠ
1872 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 199/2 The loss of all my leg-hair.
1975 Ebony July 6/2 (advt.) We took our time in developing the most effective, convenient and economical leg hair remover we could create.
2004 South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) (Nexis) 17 Dec. 3 Five brave men from Barclays Capital in Hong Kong offered to have their leg hair removed for charity - right in the middle of the office and in front of their colleagues.
leg injury n.
ΚΠ
1842 Lancet 2 Index 898/2 Clarke's apparatus for leg injuries.
1943 Billboard 21 Aug. 12/3 He fell asleep as he was driving home, his car striking a safety zone post. He was reported as having a fractured nose, possible skull fracture and leg injuries.
2002 Vancouver Sun (Nexis) 5 Nov. c16 Former Olympic ski champion Hermann Maier might miss the entire ski season while recovering from a leg injury but has no plans to retire.
leg length n.
ΚΠ
1881 Clothier & Furnisher (N.Y.) Aug. 13/1 Small pantaloons must be out about one-half an inch shorter than the full leg length.
1924 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 25 Oct. 778/1 Adjustable front seats to accommodate the particular requirements as to leg length, and so forth, of the individual occupants.
2004 Independent (Nexis) 5 May (Features section) 11 Steudel and Tilken measured the oxygen consumption of 21 volunteers (of varying leg lengths) while they pounded away on a treadmill.
leg meat n.
ΚΠ
1889 Agric. Sci. 3 158 Salers' beef is usually the choicest leg meat; the legs are long and very strong of bone.
1954 Life 25 Jan. 39 (advt.) Then all the breast and leg meat carefully taken from the bones and diced.
2006 Time Out N.Y. 3 Aug. 32/4 Neither a delicious bed of chickpeas..nor the slow cooking could cover up the leg meat's inherent blandness and dryness.
leg muscle n.
ΚΠ
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια x. xxxix. 815 The fift and last Extender is called Tibiaeus posticus, the hinder Leg-muscle.
1854 J. Wood in Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. V. 115/1 Upon it are implanted the large posterior leg muscles, and in the sedentary position the trunk is supported by it.
1980 R. Mayer 1937 Newark Bears xi. 145 Much of his difficulties that year could be attributed to injuries—a spike wound to his left hand during spring training and a torn leg muscle later in the season.
2008 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 20 Aug. c19/1 The way his leg muscle inserts into the bone..could give Bolt unexpected explosive strength.
leg pain n.
ΚΠ
1675 G. Harvey Dis. of London iii. 21 Scorbutick Leg-pains, either haunt the Tendons about the Knee and Ancle, or the Membranes of the Muscles.
1883 Clinique 4 442 Flannel bandages applied to the legs relieved her of the leg-pain.
1964 Pop. Mech. Sept. 204/2 Another of Doctor Naide's leg-pain patients was a 68-year old man whose favorite TV position was with his leg thrown over the arm of the sofa.
2006 RSDSA Rev. Summer 4/3 Osteoarthritis patients with CRPS/RSD-like symptoms (chronic severe leg pain, swelling, disuse), had no nerve injuries.
leg problem n.
ΚΠ
1947 Times Pict. (Dublin) 22 Feb. 6/4 There comes a day when the teen-age girl..realises that legs red with cold or black with bruises are not attractive—and cannot be tucked out of sight. That is when you have to face various leg problems.
1965 Chicago Daily Defender 9 Aug. 25/3 This year's Stars and Stripes victor, five-year-old Marlin Bay..is also a comebacker, idled for 51 weeks with leg problems.
2014 Daily Mirror (Nexis) 27 Nov. 30 His leg problem was believed to have been a reoccurrence of an old break he suffered during riots inside Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight in 1969.
leg ulcer n.
ΚΠ
1838 Med. Examiner 28 Feb. 87 The subject was 66 years of age, and had suffered from leg ulcers for five years.
1952 Times Lit. Suppl. 29 Feb. 159/3 Harrowing descriptions of such things as leg ulcers which have to be scooped out with a spoon.
2001 Pulse (Nexis) 1 Dec. 56 There is insufficient evidence to suggest that anabolic steroids such as stanozolol decrease recurrence rates in leg ulcers.
leg vein n.
ΚΠ
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια ii. viii. 75/3 The inner leg-veine call Tibica, which is diuersly carried under the skin.
1848 F. Clater Every Man his Own Cattle Doctor (ed. 10) 353 The leg vein, however, is not easily seen in a lean pig.
1952 Sci. News Let. 12 Apr. 231/2 (heading) Tall men more likely to get leg vein clot.
2002 Times 11 Feb. ii. 22/1 Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a main leg vein.
leg wound n.
ΚΠ
1856 Lancaster Gaz. 1 Nov. 8/1 The leg wound was the most serious, which was about an inch in length.
1914 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 24 Oct. 729/2 Foot amputated, and leg wound cleaned up thoroughly.
2006 Hull Daily Mail (Nexis) 23 Oct. 10 The pain and misery that put her life on hold after a leg wound became infected have gone.
C2.
a.
leg art n. slang (originally U.S.) the display of attractive (young) women in revealing costumes, esp. in photographs.
ΚΠ
1929 Variety 16 Jan. 21/4 Jack Campbell, managing editor of the Los Angeles Evening Herald, has issued a stop order on publication of semi-nude art that heretofore characterized this sheet as a ‘leg art’ medium.
1939 Collier's 23 Sept. 64/3 Because Betty had appeared in a film a publicity man named Pete told her to come to Bowers' still studio for ‘leg art.’
1958 Spectator 10 Oct. 481/1 The Cameo Royal, the leg-art cinema by London's Leicester Square.
1999 T. P. Doherty Pre-code Hollywood v. 112 Hays issued the strict guidelines on the ‘leg art’ and cleavage in studio publicity stills.
leg bath n. [originally after post-classical Latin pediluvium pediluvium n.] a bath in which one or both of the legs can be washed or soaked, esp. for medicinal purposes; a washing or bathing of the legs; cf. pediluvium n.
ΚΠ
1765 Monthly Rev. Aug. 124 A pediluvium or leg-bath of warm water..instantaneously removed the cough.
1853 Househ. Words 6 311/1 The horses broke out into a profuse sweat afterwards; I found this the case in a less degree with the leg bath, but I did not find that the horses were the worse for it.
1857 Water-cure Jrnl. 23 115/1 We placed the patient in a leg bath, water covering his knees at 70º.
1922 Domest. Engin. 28 Jan. 163/2 There are special foot, arm and leg baths, which can be adjusted so that a continuously rotating body of water at any required temperature may be kept in contact.
2009 Sunday Times (S. Afr.) (Nexis) 9 Aug. She was an expert at giving newborn babies a leg bath.
leg bird n. English regional (Yorkshire) Obsolete rare the sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus.
ΚΠ
1848 Zoologist 6 2290 Provincial names of birds in Yorkshire... The sedge warbler, a ‘leg bird’.
leg bone n. any of the long bones of the leg; spec. (in anatomy) the tibia, the shin bone; (in butchery also) the femur, the thigh bone.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > structural parts > bone or bones > bones of arm or leg > bones of leg > [noun] > bones of lower leg > tibia
shankOE
shinbonec1000
leg bone1615
tibia1726
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 1003 The whirle and the Leg-bone are ioyned by adarticulation.
1788 J. Trusler Honours of Table 70 The thigh-bone [of a goose]..may be easily divided in the joint from the leg-bone, or drum-stick, as it is called.
1839 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Agric. (ed. 4) 965 The tibia or leg bone is usually, in horsemen's language, called the thigh.
1919 Bull. U.S. Bureau Labor Statist. No. 252. 1096 The hind quarter is separated into two cuts, round and loin, by cutting through the muscle and meat in front of the hind leg from the stifle joint along the leg bone to the hip or socket joint.
2009 H. Hasan Bone Cancer ii. 14 In some cases, the first sign of osteosarcoma is a broken arm or leg bone.
leg boot n. (a) a boot which reaches the knee; (b) a protective boot for a horse which covers the leg between the knee and hoof; cf. boot n.3 5.
ΚΠ
1780 Adam's Weekly Courant 11 Apr. 1/2 (advt.) Men's best London leg boots.
1855 Catal. Wks. Exhib. Brit. Sect., Paris Universal Exhib. 238/2 Web Boots of all widths, for Fetlocks, Leg Boots, and Speedy-Cut Boots.
1920 Scotsman 14 Dec. 8/4 His impersonation of the impecunious Duke, in three-cornered hat, leg-boots and spurs..is one that appeals with the directness and certainty of genuine art.
2002 Equus Mar. 21/1 Leg boots can help protect against inadvertent knocks and blows.
leg brace n. a rigid structure attached to a leg (of a device or of a person) to strengthen or provide support.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > other specific types of equipment > [noun] > other tools and equipment
pollhache1324
poleaxe1356
muckrake1366
pestlea1382
botea1450
staff1459
press-board1558
reel1593
water crane1658
lathekin1659
tower1662
dressing hook1683
liner1683
hovel1686
flax-brake1688
nipper1688
horse1728
tap1797
feather-stick1824
bow1839
safety belt1840
economizer1841
throttle damper1849
cleat1854
leg brace1857
bark-peeler1862
pugging screw1862
nail driver1863
spool1864
turntable1865
ovate1872
tension bar1879
icebreaker1881
spreader1881
toucher1881
window pole1888
mushroom head1890
rat1894
slackline1896
auger1897
latch hook1900
thimble1901
horse1904
pipe jack1909
mulcher1910
hand plate1911
splashguard1917
cheese-cutter1927
airbrasive1945
impactor1945
fogger1946
the world > health and disease > healing > medical appliances or equipment > surgical supports > [noun] > calliper for leg
iron1697
leg splint1824
leg brace1857
calliper1876
1857 U.S. Patent 18,377 1/1 By this last movement, the back and leg brace F is brought under the seat [of the folding chair] in the position shown.
1862 Med. & Surg. Reporter 1 Mar. 506/1 The entire foot-piece is joined by the iron stirrup to the leg-brace, as in the apparatus for equinus.
1991 Photo Answers May 84 (advt.) Extra rigid with..spirit level, quick release and strong polycarbonate leg brace.
2001 Big Issue 20 Aug. 28/1 An accident left Morgan using leg-braces.
leg business n. slang (originally U.S.) (a) theatrical performances featuring dancing girls in revealing costumes; dancing of this kind; cf. leg show n.; (b) ballet dancing, esp. as a profession; cf. leg piece n. (b).
ΚΠ
1867 Galaxy Aug. 444 Leo hates the leg business as much as anybody, but, bless you, nothing else pays now-a-days, so what can she do?
1867 Galaxy Aug. 444 Either ballet, or heroic verse; the ‘leg business’ or the brain business.
1871 A. Edwardes Ought we to visit Her? III. i. 11 She was..in the ‘Leg Business’ [sc. she worked as a ballet-dancer], your Grace.
1934 Times of India 1 Sept. 9/7 [The title] ‘Hips, Hips, Hooray!’..may lead you to expect another of those super musical leg displays in which Hollywood loves to indulge. Actually the leg business doesn't loom large at all.
1994 F. E. Dudden Women in Amer. Theatre vii. 173 Logan reopened her critique of the leg business in May 1869, as Thompson's British Blondes were concluding their highly successful New York season.
leg bye n. Cricket a run scored from a delivery that has deflected off a part of the batter’s body (apart from a hand holding the bat) without touching the bat, credited to the batting side as an extra (extra n. 1); cf. bye n.1 1a.In the Laws of Cricket, the batter’s hands are considered part of the bat when holding it.
ΚΠ
1844 Hampshire Tel. & Sussex Chron. 22 July They only scored four wide balls and one bye, which was a leg bye.
1910 Manch. Guardian 19 Aug. 6/1 The score of 190 includes only one ‘extra’, and that a leg bye.
2003 Eastern Eye 14 Feb. 74/1 With Bangladesh roared on by some 3,000 of their own nationals who work in Malaysia, they gained victory with a leg bye off the final ball of the match.
leg chair n. rare a chair which allows the person seated to stretch out their legs for comfort.
ΚΠ
1909 Westm. Gaz. 30 Dec. 2/1 I stretched my wearied limbs in the luxurious depth of a leg-chair.
1945 National Directory of Commodity Specif. (U.S. Department of Commerce) 245/1 Covers three types: (A) Rotary, army chair, (C) stenographic chair, and (D) leg chair, without arms.
leg curl n. an exercise in which the heel (with or without added weights) is drawn up to the buttocks, typically performed using both legs whilst lying face downwards on an exercise bench fitted with a bar that the heels hook under, lift, and slowly lower.
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1958 Reno (Nevada) Evening Gaz. 16 Apr. 7/5 (advt.) The finest and newest, most modern equipment made... Leg Curl Machine, Leg Stride Machine, Leg Extension Machine [etc.].
1959 Athletic Jrnl. Sept. 77/1 Leg curls. Use iron boots (5 pound weights on each boot). This exercise develops the biceps femoris and the hamstring muscles.
1986 S. Grafton C is for Corpse i. 3 He was doing leg curls, facedown on the bench next to mine.
2003 Muscle & Fitness Jan. 54/1 I'd suggest doing..more isolation exercises in the second session—leg extensions, leg curls, inner/outer thighs.
leg dollar n. Scottish (now historical) a Dutch silver ducat; also called legged dollar (see legged adj. Compounds).The name derives from the depiction on one side of the coin of a soldier, holding a shield which obscures his left leg, meaning that the picture appears to be of a one-legged man. The coin appears to have been current in Scotland from the mid 17th cent. and fallen out of use shortly after the Act of Union (1707); cf. rix-dollar n.
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1667 in R. W. Cochran-Patrick Rec. Coinage Scotl. (1876) II. 155 To..consider the value of those dollors commonly called leg dollors and to consider what prejudice the countrey sustaines by the importation thairof.
1702 T. Morer Short Acct. Scotl. 22 But now to save trouble, they divide 'em into two sorts, the Rix-Dollar at 4 s. 10d. and the Leg-Dollar at 4s. 8d.
1729 T. Prior Observ. Coin 34 The Patagon Leg-dollar, or Rix-dollar of Holland, or Piece of 50 Stivers.
1859 Coll. Maine Hist. Soc. 6 134 It was sometimes called the ‘leg dollar’, from the fact, as is supposed, of the military figure upon it being on foot, and showing only one leg.
1994 Herald (Glasgow) (Nexis) 21 Apr. 2 The leg dollar, the Scots 4-merk piece, the French silver crown and the cross dollar were each worth £2.90.
2011 M. Shutty One Coin is Never Enough xv. 177 (caption) A Dutch Ducaton (or ‘leg dollar’) from unknown sea salvage.
leg drive n. Sport (originally Rowing) use of the legs to drive oneself forwards or push; (also) forward momentum or power imparted by the use of the legs in this way.
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society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [noun] > rowing > drive imparted by rower's legs
leg drive1885
1885 Cambr. Rev. 3 June 357/2 Emmanuel seem to have settled down at last and are improving, but want more leg drive.
1917 N.Y. Times 3 June (Sports section) 3/2 An expert American waterman defends the leg drive as an important feature of the crawl swimming stroke.
1991 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 9 June 10 f Specifically, how does leg drive contribute to a well-rounded golf swing, and what can it do for your distance?
2014 Irish Daily Mail (Nexis) 11 Jan. 73 Dynamic leg drive in the tackle and when clearing out the breakdown will have Leinster back looking the class side they can be.
leg extension n. (a) a section that attaches to or fits inside a leg of an object allowing it to extend to a desired length; (b) an act or the action of straightening (and typically raising) one's leg or legs; (now esp.) an exercise performed seated on an exercise machine with a weighted bar that the shins hook under, lift, and slowly lower.
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1865 Amer. Artisan 9 Aug. 220/1 Surgeon's Operating-table... Provided with a hinged portion..and hinged leg-extensions.
1866 G. Techow Man. Gymnastic Exercises iii. ii. 133 Lying on a Table. Practise arm and leg extensions in slow time.
1892 C. J. Enebuske Progressive Gymnastic Day's Orders 55/1 Slow leg-extension backward.
1937 Washington Post 29 Aug. 2/5 I did a back-bend leg extension and split while twirling my baton.
1946 Pop. Photogr. June 76/3 A twist of the knurled ring locks the leg extensions in any one of adjustable heights from 33 to 60 inches.
1958 Reno (Nevada) Evening Gaz. 16 Apr. 7/5 (advt.) The finest and newest, most modern equipment made... Leg Curl Machine, Leg Stride Machine, Leg Extension Machine [etc.].
1986 Washington Post (Nexis) 7 Oct. z15 When selecting a stationary bicycle, look for durability, comfort and ample room for full leg extension.
1997 Product News Network (Nexis) 1 Jan. The scrolled steel seat is precision die formed... Telescopic leg extensions are an important adjustment feature.
2014 W. Peveler Triathlon Training Fund. xi. 163 Before beginning leg extensions ensure that the machine you are working on is set up specifically for you.
leg-foot n. Obsolete the base of a pole or post.
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1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona iii. 29 Old daft limmers sit at a leg-foot [of a gibbet] and spae their fortunes.
leg-ill n. Obsolete any of various conditions causing lameness in sheep.
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1807 J. Hogg Shepherd's Guide 163 The Leg-ill being an accommodating name, it is often blamed by shepherds for every sheep that is rendered lame, whether by accident or disease.
1918 T. L. Stedman Pract. Med. Dict. (U.S. ed. 5) 535/2 Leg-ill, an inflammation of the hoof, affecting especially the interdigital spaces, in the sheep.
leg iron n. (usually in plural) (a) a shackle or fetter for the leg; cf. iron n.1 2b (b) a metal brace or splint, used esp. to support or straighten the leg; = iron n.1 16.
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society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > [noun] > bond(s) or fetter(s) or shackle(s) > for the feet or legs
copsa700
fetterc800
gyvec1275
bolt1483
boysc1485
hose-ring?1515
hopshacklea1568
gin?1587
leg ring1606
hamper1613
shacklock1613
wife1616
pedicle1628
leg iron1779
wife1811
leg lock1815
ankle ring1823
anklet1835
hopple1888
Oregon boot1892
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > [adjective] > bound, fettered, or shackled > by the feet or legs
gyved1382
leg iron1779
slanged1819
leg-ironed1848
1779 E. Allen Narr. Captivity 9 The hand-cuff was of a common size, and form, but my leg irons (I should imagine) would weight 30 pounds.
1794 T. Sheldrake Observ. Causes Distortion Legs Children 6 Another method of treating this disease [sc. club foot] has been by fixing leg-irons of various constructions upon the leg.
1857 Med. Times & Gaz. 12 Sept. 263/2 The knee-joint must be kept stiff during the act of progression by a knee-cap connected with the leg-iron.
1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations xvi, in All Year Round 2 Feb. 385/1 A convict's leg-iron which had been filed asunder.
1949 Manch. Guardian 14 Feb. 3/2 On the instructions of his commanding officer, he was handcuffed and put in leg-irons.
1987 P. Wright & P. Greengrass Spycatcher ii. 12 I developed rickets and wore leg irons until practically into my teens.
2005 C. Hardyment Malory (2006) viii. 163 Joan was..hobbled with leg irons in a dark cell.
leg-ironed adj. that has been put in leg irons; shackled or fettered by the legs; cf. ironed adj. 3.
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society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > [adjective] > bound, fettered, or shackled > by the feet or legs
gyved1382
leg iron1779
slanged1819
leg-ironed1848
1848 Liberator 30 June 101/2 I was also committed to prison, and there I remained, hand-cuffed and leg-ironed, until near the middle of August.
1884 E. Yates Recoll. & Experiences I. iii. 115 Convicts..handcuffed and leg-ironed.
1932 Times of India 27 May 10/3 The constables with their prisoner, who was securely handcuffed and leg-ironed, boarded the 36 Up Express on Sunday night.
2010 Observer 3 Jan. 30/5 The confession naming Bennett is one of five they made me write after I was handcuffed, leg-ironed, beaten over the head [etc.].
leg knife n. a knife carried on the leg, usually for concealment.
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1834 C. F. Hoffman Let. 12 Mar. in Winter in West (1835) II. 75 After I had stuck my leg-knife into the chine of the other.
1915 J. Conrad Victory (1920) iv. ix. 412 Heyst got up briskly, with a smile of such enigmatic and despairing character that Mr. Secretary Ricardo..made a slight crouching start, as if to dive under the table for his leg-knife.
2003 T. Pierce Trickster's Choice ix. 199 She..moved one of her leg knives up under her waistband at the middle of her back, where she could reach it in a hurry.
leg lift n. [originally after German Beinheben (1883 in the source translated in quot. 1887, or earlier)] any of various exercises in which one or both legs are slowly lifted and lowered, now typically one performed keeping both legs straight whilst lying on one's back; also with modifying word specifying the position of the body, as side, standing, etc.
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1887 W. Mendelson tr. J. Schreiber Man.Treatm. by Massage 245 (caption) The leg-lift—forward... The leg-lift—backward.
1942 Coe College (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) Cosmos 2 Dec. 2/2 Hope those leg-lifts, chin-ups and rolls will do something for me besides backaches and dislocated knee Joints.
1975 Skiing Oct. 4/1 (caption) Side leg lifts look easy—until you try them in a circuit.
1980 M. F. Weisenfeld & B. Burr Runners' Repair Man. iv. 46 Standing Leg Lifts. Strengthens quadriceps.
2010 L. Schlossberg Life in Miniature xxxiv. 268 I lie on the..carpet, practicing sit-ups and leg lifts, counting out the seconds slowly.
leg lock n. (a) (usually in plural) = leg iron n. (a); (b) Wrestling a hold in which a wrestler immobilizes or traps an opponent's legs; (also more generally) any method of holding or restraining someone in this way.
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society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > [noun] > bond(s) or fetter(s) or shackle(s) > for the feet or legs
copsa700
fetterc800
gyvec1275
bolt1483
boysc1485
hose-ring?1515
hopshacklea1568
gin?1587
leg ring1606
hamper1613
shacklock1613
wife1616
pedicle1628
leg iron1779
wife1811
leg lock1815
ankle ring1823
anklet1835
hopple1888
Oregon boot1892
1815 Rep. Comm. Madhouses Eng. 150 in Parl. Papers 1814–15 (H.C. 296) IV. 801 The chain that fastened the neck of the patient to the iron stanchion, as well as the leg-lock, were still used.
1860 J. C. Byrne Undercurrents Overlooked II. 218 Manacles and chains, whips and leg-locks.
1882 Rocky Mountain News (Denver) 25 Dec. 8/3 Acton working alternatively with the body and arm, or leg lock, and Acton had his man nearly on his back again, but Whistler squirmed out and broke clear.
1936 ‘R. Hyde’ Passport to Hell 65 No leglocks are used. He [sc. the convict] can sit, stand, or lie, as he pleases.
1974 T. Brooke-Taylor Goodies File 37 Grab her in a double leg-lock with a back arm twist.
2014 New Yorker 1 Sept. 46/1 Cassandro spun each student into an upturned paquetito—the strangely simple leg lock he had used to defeat Magno.
leg-maker n. (a) (in quot. a1500, perhaps) a maker of leggings (obsolete); (b) a maker of artificial legs.Quot. a1500 apparently shows a mistaken literal gloss of classical Latin tibiārius maker of reed pipes.
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society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > producer > makers of other articles > [noun] > of other specific finished articles
anchorsmith1296
paliser1315
sheather1379
buckler-maker1415
barrow-maker1468
chess-maker1481
belt maker1483
leg-makera1500
reel-makera1500
card maker1511
lattice-maker1550
pale cleaver1578
bead-maker1580
boss-maker1580
balloonier1598
bilbo-smith1632
block-makera1687
pen-makera1703
pipe-maker1766
platemaker1772
stickman1786
safe maker?1789
matchmaker1833
chipmaker1836
labelmaker1844
bandagist1859
hurdler1874
moon cutter1883
tie-maker1901
a1500 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 686/29 (MED) Hic tibiarius, legmaker.
1776 Morning Post 5 Dec. We hear for certainty, that Mr. Patence..is made Leg-maker in ordinary to our English Aristophanes [sc. the dramatist and actor Samuel Foote, who lost one of his legs in 1766 after falling from his horse.]!
1889 Boston Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 16 May 483/1 The efforts of the leg-maker are hampered by bungling surgery.
2009 Dalby (Queensland) Herald (Nexis) 1 May 25 I remember the first day I got home from the leg-makers with my new leg—I had a big smile on my face—like I knew I was ready to rumble.
leg money n. Obsolete a payment required for the removal of leg irons.
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society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > ransom > [noun] > payment for removal of leg-irons
leg money1812
1812 Examiner 7 Sept. 575/1 If not able to pay leg money, or a fee for knocking off the irons [at Newgate].
leg muff n. [ < leg n. + muff n.1] (a) a downy tuft of feathers on the leg of a bird, as in certain hummingbirds and domestic pigeons; (b) an item of clothing worn by women to keep the leg warm.
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1862 J. G. Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. (new ed.) II. 237 The Peruvian Racket-tail, a bird which may be distinguished by the rusty-red colour of the leg-muffs.
1914 Textile Amer. Feb. 18/3 Leg muffs of silk and fur are being worn in Paris.
1939 C. A. Naether Bk. of Pigeon vii. 137 Fireback pigeons breed fairly true... Their leg-muffs should be long.
1990 S. J. Bodio Aloft ii. 10 Each bird had white wings and leg muffs, and a complicated..marking in white on its face.
2010 D. R. Strahan Throwaways i. 17 They wore fur jackets, leg muffs, hoods; all that kind of stuff.
leg pad n. Cricket each of a pair of padded coverings worn by batters and wicketkeepers to protect the ankle, shin and knee; now usually shortened to pad (see pad n.2 9).
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > equipment > [noun] > protective equipment
pad1843
leg guard1844
leg pad1844
legging1851
cricket box1859
box1950
1844 Bell's Life in London 6 Oct. Day was one of the first to make his appearance at the wicket, well padded, and wearing a leg pad on his left arm, which had very much the appearance of a shield.
1935 N.Y. Times 10 Feb. s1 The Bambino donned leg pads and smashed the offerings of two ‘fast bowlers’ all over the premises.
2002 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 24 Dec. 11/1 Vincent Lafette, an engineering student from France, was strapping on his leg-pads upside-down... He'd never seen a game of cricket in his life.
leg-payment n. Obsolete flight or absconding as a means of avoiding one's debts; in quot. in to make leg-payments; cf. leg-bail n.1
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1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Payer en gambades, to make leg-paiments, to runne away in debt.
leg piece n. (a) each of a pair of greaves (greave n.2 1) (now historical); (b) slang a theatrical performance in which dance is prominent, spec. a ballet; cf. leg business n. (b).
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > armour > armour for limbs > [noun] > leg armour > greave
hosesc1275
jamberc1330
jambeauc1380
boot1388
shinbawde?a1400
greavec1400
leg piece1653
jamb1834
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > variety, etc. > [noun] > leg-show
leg show1873
leg piece1918
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 2nd Bk. Wks. xii. 83 He were mounted on a barbed horse furnished with..armes, thighs and leg-pieces [Fr. hoguines].
1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads xi. 151 His Leg-pieces he down to th' Anckles ti'd With silver Buckles, Leg-pieces of Brass.
1854 G. A. Sala in Househ. Words 15 Apr. 212/2 Say ye English and continental managers how often have you escaped bankruptcy through the legs of your figurantes and the judicious selection of ballets, otherwise ‘leg pieces’.
1918 G. B. Shaw Let. Sept. in W. Loraine Robert Loraine (1938) xiii. 247 So long as you have a mouth left and one lung to keep it going, you will still be better than the next best: my pieces are not leg pieces.
2011 Wisconsin State Jrnl. (Nexis) 27 Nov. g1 I decided I didn't want to fight in such heavy and complicated armor—each of my leg pieces weighed 25 pounds.
leg-pull n. [after to pull a person's leg (see pull v. Phrases 7a)] an instance of leg-pulling; an attempt to pull a person's leg; cf. leg-pulling n.
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the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > mischievous or practical joking > [noun] > instance of
jest1578
jig1592
wilec1600
waggery1604
pleasance1668
quiz1795
practical joke1804
skite1804
skit1815
galliardise1842
leg-pull1893
rannygazoo1896
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > trickery, playing jokes > [noun] > a trick, prank, hoax
pratOE
mowa1393
pageant?c1430
jimp?1572
prank1576
jest1578
jig1592
frump1593
trick1605
bilk1664
fun1699
plisky1706
humbug1750
hum1751
practical joke1751
marlock1763
quiz1795
practical joke1804
skite1804
hoax1808
skit1815
wrinkle1817
rusty1835
funny business1838
string1851
stringer1851
cod1862
mank1865
spoof1889
leg-pull1893
rannygazoo1896
shenanigan1926
gotcha1967
to throw a fastball1968
wind-up1984
1893 Puck (N.Y.) 2 Aug. 375/1 I can't stand any such infernal leg-pull!
1950 T. S. Eliot Cocktail Party iii. 148 You always did enjoy a leg-pull, Julia.
1970 J. Ardagh New France xi. 549 His whole operation might be partly a leg-pull at the expense of serious literature.
2013 C. Collie Reporter & Warlords i. 4 I think I'm the victim of a leg-pull.
leg-puller n. [after to pull a person's leg (see pull v. Phrases 7a)] a person who engages in leg-pulling; a person who pulls another's leg; cf. leg-pulling n.
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the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > banter or good-humoured ridicule > [noun] > one who banters
railleur1655
raillier1663
banterer1678
rallier1678
badineur1734
quiz1797
quizzer1797
queerera1800
smoker1812
persifleur1829
chaffer1851
tease1853
leg-puller1887
josher1899
ragger1903
kibitzer1925
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > mischievous or practical joking > [noun] > one who
wag1584
shaver1592
wagship1607
lick1725
nickum1804
practical joker1830
leg-puller1887
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > trickery, playing jokes > [noun] > practitioner
japer1362
practiser1545
practitioner1560
amuser1583
fopper1659
hummer1763
prankster1811
hoaxer1814
puck1823
practical joker1830
pranking1852
card1853
leg-puller1887
kidder1888
pranker1890
codologist1897
spoofer1914
wind-up artist1984
1887 Atchison (Kansas) Daily Globe 1 July No one would imagine, to look at the pale side-whiskered faces of the Lutheran college committee, that the members were such competent leg pullers.
1923 Motor Cycling 7 Nov. 2/1 You are a confirmed leg-puller. Just fancy kidding me about the speed of the bus I bought from you.
2010 C. McCullough Naked Cruelty 100 There's an element of leg puller in Miss MacIntosh, but I confess I like her the better for it.
leg-pulling n. [after to pull a person's leg (see pull v. Phrases 7a)] the practice of attempting to deceive or mislead others in a playful way or as a joke; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > mischievous or practical joking > [noun]
waggery1594
knavery1600
joking1670
leg-pulling1879
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > trickery, playing jokes > [noun]
legerdemain1532
hocus-pocus1647
sham1683
funning1728
humbugging1752
humming1807
hoaxing1808
larking1813
cutting-up1843
cut-up1843
shenanigan1855
codology1860
greening1863
cod1866
leg-pulling1879
spoof1889
codding1892
spoofery1895
four-flushing1901
kidding1901
shenaniganning1924
kidology1964
1879 Lowell (Mass.) Daily Citizen 15 Feb. Magoo, irrelevant and deceitful small talk, judicious and soothing leg pulling, a linguistic banquet.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 30 June 2/1 I, too, have lived in Australia, where leg-pulling is one of the chief joys of life.
1946 R.A.F. Jrnl. May 178 ‘Liz’ and ‘Sally’..will take any amount of leg pulling—and give it.
2013 Telegraph (India) (Nexis) 30 July There was a lot of chatting, discussion, leg-pulling and fun.
leg raise n. any of various exercises in which one or both legs are slowly raised and lowered; frequently with modifying word specifying the position of the body, as lying, side, etc.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > gymnastics > exercise > [noun] > specific exercises
breathing1605
breather1802
arm swing1859
setting-up drill1862
grasshopper march1884
lunge1889
push-up1897
sit-up1900
pull-up1901
deep-breathing1904
bag-punching1927
press-up1928
setting-up exercise1935
pullover1936
bear crawl1937
burpee1939
knee-bend1941
leg raise1944
dip1945
uddiyana1949
squat thrust1950
lateral1954
pull-down1956
aquacise1968
step-up1973
abdominal crunch1981
power walking1982
crunch1983
gut-buster1983
stomach crunch1986
1944 Waterloo (Iowa) Daily Courier 17 Feb. 4/2 After 10 days.., increase the number of leg-raises..to four or five.
1949 Jrnl. Amer. Folklore 62 179 The unit was doing leg raises, where you lie on your back and lift your legs up and down, slowly, holding them straight all the time, until they feel like lead.
1969 Skiing Feb. 28/3 This [program] involves prone leg raises, and trunk lifts with a pillow under the hips.
1994 N. Parker Parkhurst Tales xviii. 224 I did..strict sit-ups and leg-raises in non-stop, frantic rotation.
2002 Sunday Mail (S. Afr.) (Nexis) 8 Sept. b8 Side leg raises... Lie on your side... Raise leg to 45-degree angle.
2011 F. Delavier & M. Gundill Delavier's Core Training Anat. 50/3 Seated leg raises offer more resistance than lying leg raises.
leg rest n. (a) a support for the legs intended to provide comfort; cf. footrest n. at foot n. and int. Compounds 3; (b) a tripod or similar stand for a piece of equipment.
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the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports > support for the leg when seated
leg rest1823
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > support or rest > [noun] > for legs
leg rest1823
ease-and-comfort1847
1823 Hampshire Tel. & Sussex Chron. 22 Sept. 1/4 (advt.) Portable bearing chair and leg rest.
1855 E. C. Gaskell North & South II. v. 68 He was busy..contriving a leg-rest for Dixon, who was beginning to feel the fatigues of watching.
1886 Ann. Rep. Adjutant General Commonw. Mass. 1885 155 (table) Drum leg-rests.
1905 Westm. Gaz. 4 Apr. 10/2 Owing to the outer casing and the light folding leg-rests..it matters not how heated the barrel becomes.
1973 Green Shield Stamps Catal. No. 12. 133 (caption) Garden Chair with Leg Rest. Adjustable to 8 positions.
2006 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 8 Oct. viii. 6/3 Some of Martin's machines were developed so that injured players could use them, including a new full-body squat and leg-press that has a snap-down leg rest.
leg-ringing n. the practice of fitting a leg ring (leg ring n. 3) to an animal, esp. a bird; an instance of this.
ΚΠ
1943 Jrnl. Wildlife Managem. 7 403/2 The animal [sc. a muskrat] was rebanded by leg-ringing.
1963 Times 5 June 14/4 Mr. Nicholson has helped in many major ornithological achievements, notably in the hazardous but successful leg-ringing of young Eleanora's falcons.
2009 Paisley Daily Express (Nexis) 20 Sept. 13 I was involved in a hen harrier leg-ringing and wing-tagging project when I worked as a countryside ranger at Muirshiel 20 years ago.
legroom n. space in front of a seat for the legs of the person seated, esp. in a car or aeroplane.
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the world > space > [noun] > sufficient space or room > for legs
legroom1837
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > space for legs
legroom1837
footwell1901
well1929
1837 W. B. Adams Eng. Pleasure Carriages xv. 230 The leg-room in the interior is abundant for reclining at full length if necessary.
1896 London Society July 26 All we want is a certain amount of change and gaiety combined with a comfortable seat and plenty of leg room.
1928 Punch 18 Apr. p. xxii (advt.) Carries four full-sized people. Ample leg-room... A wonderful performer for such a small horse-powered car.
2012 N.Y. Times Mag. 8 July 11 I was thankful to secure an exit-row middle seat with ample legroom on a recent Australian domestic flight.
legs eleven n. (a humorous nickname for) the number eleven in the game of bingo; sometimes shortened to legs (see sense 17).
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > bingo or lotto > [noun] > specific numbers
clickety-click1917
legs eleven1917
legs1933
1917 A. G. Empey Over Top xix. 148 The caller-out has many nicknames for the numbers such as ‘Kelly's Eye’ for one, ‘Leg's [sic] Eleven’ for eleven, ‘Clickety-click’ for sixty-six, [etc.].
1958 I. Ryan Black Man's Palaver iv. 69 Waiting with pencils poised for the caller's jargon to begin: ‘Eyes-down-look-in! Sixty-six-clickety-click. Legs-eleven.’
2002 P. Collins Men from Boys 135 He needed only two calls: all the fours, droopy drawers and legs eleven.
leg-saw n. Obsolete a kind of saw (precise form and purpose unclear).
ΚΠ
1608 Rates Marchandizes 1 Legg-sawes the peece, iij.s.iiij.d.
1662 in Statutes at Large, Ireland (1765) II. 464 Leg-saws the piece 6s. 8d.
leg shield n. a protective panel on a saddle (or one of a pair extending on either side) which shields the horse-rider's legs, esp. in warfare or jousting (now historical); (later also) each of a pair of similar panels which extend on either side of the saddle of a motorcycle or motor scooter.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > armour > armour for limbs > [noun] > leg armour
leg harnessa1382
leg splint1430
chausses1484
leg shield1858
leglet1886
1858 Archaeol. Jrnl. 15 45 In the sixteenth century we find a modification of the old leg-shield..it now consists of one piece, protecting the horse's breast, and the knight's body from the waist downwards.
1860 J. Hewitt Anc. Armour III. 390 The leg-shield of the saddle is found in woodcut No. 49.
1913 Z. Grey Desert Gold vii. 123 Free of heavy saddle and the clumsy leg shields, Blanco Sol was somehow all-satisfying to the eyes of the rangers.
1925 E. T. Brown Compl. Motor-cyclist 126 The non-essential accessories include a luggage grid, speedometer, leg-shields [etc.].
2005 Scootering June 27/3 The bodywork too needed some tic, with the panels and legshields kinked and bent.
leg shop n. U.S. slang. Obsolete a theatre showing performances featuring dancing girls in revealing costumes; cf. leg show n.
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society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > [noun] > other types of theatre
little theatre1569
private house1604
private playhouse1609
amphitheatre1611
private theatre1633
droll-house1705
summer theatre1761
show shop1772
national theatre1816
minor1821
legitimate1826
patent house1827
patent theatre1836
showboat1839
music theatre1849
penny-gaff1856
saloon theatre1864
leg shop1871
people's theatre1873
nickelodeon1888
repertory theatre1891
studio theatre1891
legit1897
blood-tub1906
rep1906
small-timer1910
grind house1923
theatrette1927
indie1928
vaude1933
straw hat1935
theatre-in-the-round1948
straw-hatter1949
bughouse1952
theatre-restaurant1958
dinner theatre1959
theatre club1961
black box1971
pub theatre1971
performance space1972
1871 ‘M. Twain’ Screamers xxviii. 144 They're playing ‘Undine’ at the Opery House, and some folks call it the leg shop.
leg show n. slang (originally U.S.) a show featuring dancing girls in revealing costumes.
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society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > variety, etc. > [noun] > leg-show
leg show1873
leg piece1918
1873 Chem. News 3 Oct. 179/1 Noblemen and other millionaires can be found who will devote ten of thousands in a single season to support an opera house or theatrical leg-show.
1882 J. J. Jennings Theatr. & Circus Life 238 The minor musical attractions of the quasi legitimate stage have usurped its principal feature—the leg show.
1930 J. Brophy & E. Partridge Songs & Slang Brit. Soldier: 1914–1918 137 At a leg-show of these days you saw far less of the female form than is now exhibited in the streets.
2013 Washington Post (Nexis) 26 May e1 Back in the day, the leg show and striptease facilitated the ogling of attractive women.
leg snare n. a device designed for capturing wild animals or birds, typically consisting of a string with a running noose intended to tighten around the leg; cf. snare n. 1a, leg trap n. (b).
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1968 Proc. Bear Workshop (Internat. Assoc. Bear Res.) 1 13 Some bears were trapped in the area using the Aldrich Leg Snare.
1986 N.Y. Times 29 Dec. a21/3 Cruel, wasteful and totally unnecessary because there are other kinds of traps (leg snare, box, etc.) that serve the same purpose.., the steel-jawed leghold trap is a throwback to barbarism.
2013 M. Hawthorne Bleating Hearts ii. 75 Today's trappers use a flexible braided steel cable to create either a leg snare or the more lethal neck or body snare.
leg-tired adj. = leg-weary adj.
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the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > specific limbs
leaden1578
leg-weary1629
heavy-handeda1634
leg-tired1740
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 149 If he..change his Feet, it denotes he is leg-tired.
1894 Longman's Mag. Jan. 268 The suppleness of muscle was probably the reason why Mr. Weston was never ‘leg-tired’.
2008 G. A. Poole Galloping Ghost i. iv. 62 Banged and bruised, back-weary and leg-tired, Grange could barely practice that week.
leg trap n. (a) Cricket (originally) a delivery used by W. G. Grace with the aim of enticing the batter to give a catch to the fielder at square leg (now historical and rare); (later) an array of fielders stationed close in on the leg side of the wicket for catches: cf. leg theory n. at Compounds 2b; (b) a device designed for capturing wild animals or birds, typically consisting of a pair of metal jaws which snap shut around the leg; cf. trap n.1 1a; leg snare n.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricketer > [noun] > fielder > fielders by position
middle wicket1772
long-stop1773
second stop1773
stop1773
long fieldsman1790
long field?1801
third man1801
outscout1805
leg1816
point1816
slip1816
backstop1819
long fielder1835
long leg1835
long field off1837
short leg1843
square leg1849
cover-point1850
long-stopper1851
middle-off1851
cover-slip1854
long off1854
left fielder1860
short square1860
mid-off1865
extra cover (point)1867
deep-fielder1870
mid-on1870
cover1897
leg trap1897
infield1898
deep field1900
slipper1903
slip fieldsman1906
midwicket1909
infieldsman1910
slip-catcher1920
infielder1927
leg slip1956
1897 Manch. Guardian 12 July 8/1 Nearly all his wickets were secured by that funny ball of his known for some twenty years as ‘Grace's leg trap’.
1899 Eng. Illustr. Mag. Dec. 183/1 Between the ends of what are seen to be boats in the complete picture, are a number of animals circling round a leg-trap, while a hunter not far off is despatching another creature whose legs are tied together.
1919 W. T. Grenfell Labrador Doctor xiii. 240 If fox-farming some day should actually supersede the use of the present sharp-toothed leg trap, no small gain would have been effected.
1948 D. Reese Was it all Cricket? xiii. 181 He [sc. W. G. Grace] kept pitching them on the pads, and towards the end of the innings Nott..hit him on the half-volley hard and low to square-leg... The ‘Old Man’ chuckled about his leg trap coming off.
1963 Times 5 June 4/2 He took a pace to Titmus only to turn him gently into the leg trap.
1993 Albuquerque (New Mexico) Jrnl. 14 Apr. d3/5 Its predator control plan stalled in a dispute over how frequently leg traps should be checked.
2011 Independent 6 Aug. 40 His 40 victims in the leg trap making him the leading catcher, other than wicketkeepers, in the country.
leg tripping n. (a) adj. [after German beinstellend (1818 or earlier)] characterized by the use of leg tripping (see (b)) Obsolete. rare; (b) n. the action of tripping another, (sometimes) specifically with one's own leg; an instance of this .
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1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust (Boston ed.) II. iii. 290 Eros, also, he overcame In leg-tripping [Ger. beinstellendem] wrestling match.
1888 Wisconsin State Reg. 28 Apr. It is said he will confess to the synod that he forced young ladies to rough and tumble frolics, leg-tripping and tickling, but denies any improper intentions in his playful conduct.
2012 Sunday Independent (Ireland) (Nexis) 1 Jan. Closing a loophole in the rulebook to remove an existing distinction between hand, foot and leg tripping.
leg warmer n. (usually in plural) each of a pair of (usually knitted) coverings for the legs intended to keep the wearer warm, esp. tubular garments which cover the leg from ankle to thigh, worn by ballerinas during rehearsal, and subsequently also by others as a fashion accessory.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > [noun] > other > article of
strapplec1000
leg guard1796
puttee1882
leg warmer1915
1915 Washington Post 6 Apr. 4/2 All sorts and conditions of women—knitting—knitting mittens, socks, mufflers, and leg warmers [for soldiers].
1952 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald Jrnl. 22 June 4 (caption) Ballerina Tamara Toumanova slips on a set of leg-warmers to keep her dancing gams from ‘cooling off’ between takes.
1976 Times 30 Mar. 10 Leg-warmers, accessory of every freezing dance rehearsal room, emerged as a stylish cover-up for girls.
1984 S. Townsend Growing Pains Adrian Mole 146 I had to make do with going into town with Pandora, who wanted to buy a pair of neon pink legwarmers.
2011 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 16 May 16 Customers can buy scarves, rugs and leg warmers made from alpaca wool.
leg wax n. a depilatory treatment in which unwanted hair is removed from the legs using wax (cf. wax n.1 Additions); (also) the wax used.
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1941 Los Angeles Times 7 Oct. ii. 9/3 A schedule that keeps you going from appointments for manicure, pedicure.., facial, leg wax..to any service you may desire.
1995 Daily Record (Glasgow) (Nexis) 22 Mar. 10 The..singer revealed: ‘I was looking for things for the tour and buying leg wax and knickers’.
2006 P. Williams Rise & Fall Yummy Mummy ix. 83 ‘Let's go in and get you sorted,’ says Kate. ‘A leg wax, isn't it?’
leg waxing n. the action or process of waxing one's legs, or having them waxed; an instance of this, a leg wax; cf. wax v.2 1c.Earliest in attributive use.
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1943 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald-Amer. 6 June 3/7 (advt.) Elizabeth Arden leg-waxing treatment completely removes unsightly hair.
1991 Observer 22 Sept. 10/8 There is so much less stress here,..and far less leg waxing.
2005 C. Salzmann Dying to Decorate 61 I'm really thinking that I'd like to see how these macho men would stand up under a leg waxing.
leg-weariness n. fatigue or aching in the legs, esp. after physical exertion.
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1832 A. W. McClure Lect. on Ultra-Universalism ii. 24 They would never submit to the leg-weariness of trudging to meeting two or three times a week.
1929 Times 6 July 6/6 The race is completed without the slightest trace of distress or serious leg-weariness.
2008 Mail on Sunday (Nexis) 24 Feb. There were signs of leg-weariness in his Athens performance, but any man who has played 43 games already this season would be entitled to feel a little tired.
leg-weary adj. that has tired or aching legs, esp. after physical exertion.
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the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > specific limbs
leaden1578
leg-weary1629
heavy-handeda1634
leg-tired1740
1629 J. Mabbe tr. C. de Fonseca Deuout Contempl. xxiii. 389 The Prophet Elias..came so bruised and so leg-wearie,..that he desired of God, that he would be pleased to take away his life.
1755 J. Shebbeare Lydia (1769) I. 243 The exciseman began to be leg-weary.
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer (1891) 319 The slow, hopeless, leg-weary jog.
1966 H. Marriott Cariboo Cowboy vii. 66 A fellow doing quite a bit of riding needs two or three horses at least, because riding one horse day after day makes the horse loggy and leg-weary.
2008 Time Out N.Y. 23 Aug. 47/3 Stuffed, but too leg-weary to handle a walk, we took a longish drive.
legwood n. English regional (southern); now rare logs cut from trees, typically for use as firewood. Sometimes also as a typographical error for logwood.
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1849 Jackson's Oxf. Jrnl. 10 Feb. Thomas Langstone, for stealing two pieces of elm leg wood, value 4s.
1872 T. Hardy Under Greenwood Tree I. i. iii. 28 We shall have a rare leg-wood fire directly.
1898 Oxf. Chron. 22 Jan. 1 A large number of Faggots and Legwood.
1917 Mod. Lang. Rev. 12 355 Legwood, small timber, used for firewood.
leg worm n. the Guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis, which typically infests the legs.
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the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > phylum Nemathelminthes > [noun] > class Nematoda > genus Filaria > member of > filaria medinensis (Guinea worm)
Guinea worm1699
leg worm1699
dracunculus1706
hairworm1752
sea-dragon1775
skin worm1831
rishta1834
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. ii. iii. 79 Two hairy Worms growing in the Author's Leg. Dangerous Leg-worms in the West Indies.
1857 E. Lankester tr. G. F. Küchenmeister On Animal & Veg. Parasites Human Body I. 398 Amongst the Germans, it is known as..the skin-worm.., leg-worm.., and Pharaoh's-worm.
2008 G. Vincent Animal Vista xxvi. 186 ‘Wow, a leg worm’, Teresa exclaimed... Dr. J grasped the free end with his fingers and pulled; the object stretched.
b. Cricket. With the sense ‘directed towards the leg side; on the leg side’ (leg side n.).
leg ball n. now rare a ball delivered on or outside the leg stump.
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1829 Forget me Not 227 He missed a leg ball of Ned Smith's.
1870 Scotsman 30 May 7/1 Mr Chalmers..let go at a leg ball, and skied it straight up.
1932 N.Y. Times 29 Nov. 26 Finally falling when a leg ball he had played onto his pad slipped into the wicket.
1951 Observer 22 July 10/1 He then swished at a leg ball, and there was an appeal for caught behind the wicket.
leg boundary n. the section of the boundary which marks the edge of the field on the leg side; cf. boundary n. 3a.
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1863 Notts. Guardian 10 Apr. 7/6 Beautifully hit for 3 to the leg boundary by R. Daft.
1949 Scotsman 27 June 7/3 His first two or three strokes against Cave and Burtt found the leg boundary.
2011 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 4 Jan. (Sport section) 38 Observing that no one had been stationed on the leg boundary, Khawaja essayed a sweep.
leg-cutter n. a seam-bowling delivery in which the ball deviates from the leg side towards the off side after pitching; cf. cutter n.1 5b(b).
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > [noun] > a ball bowled > types of delivery or ball
full toss1826
long hop1830
twister1832
bail ball1833
bailer1833
grubber1837
slow ball1838
wide1838
ground ball1839
shooter1843
slower ball1846
twiddler1847
creeper1848
lob1851
sneak1851
sneaker1851
slow1854
bumper1855
teaser1856
daisy-cutter1857
popper1857
yorker1861
sharpshooter1863
headball1866
screwball1866
underhand1866
skimmerc1868
grub1870
ramrod1870
raymonder1870
round-armer1871
grass cutter1876
short pitch1877
leg break1878
lob ball1880
off-break1883
donkey-drop1888
tice1888
fast break1889
leg-breaker1892
kicker1894
spinner1895
wrong 'un1897
googly1903
fizzer1904
dolly1906
short ball1911
wrong 'un1911
bosie1912
bouncer1913
flyer1913
percher1913
finger-spinner1920
inswinger1920
outswinger1920
swinger1920
off-spinner1924
away swinger1925
Chinaman1929
overspinner1930
tweaker1938
riser1944
leg-cutter1949
seamer1952
leggy1954
off-cutter1955
squatter1955
flipper1959
lifter1959
cutter1960
beamer1961
loosener1962
doosra1999
1949 Scotsman 7 Feb. 7 He occasionally introduced a leg-cutter which ‘fizzed’ across.
1963 Times 25 Apr. 4/5 He went to Lord's last year to play his first match for Warwickshire and within a couple of overs had bowled everything from a leg-cutter to an inswinger.
2005 R. Smyth in M. Adamson et al. Is it Cowardly to pray for Rain? 237 Inevitably Flintoff begins, bowling over the wicket to Katich this time, and promptly beats him with a beautiful, trampolining leg-cutter.
leg glance n. a stroke in which the batter holds the face of the bat at an angle in order to deflect a ball pitching on or outside leg stump behind square leg; cf. glance n.1 1b. The terms glance and glide are usually used synonymously, though sometimes glance refers specifically to this stroke when it is played with a quick turn of the batter's wrists as the ball comes onto the bat, whereas glide more strongly suggests a simple deflection.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of stroke
long ball1744
nip1752
catch1816
no-hit1827
cut1833
short hit1833
draw1836
drive1836
square hit1837
skylarker1839
skyer1840
skyscraper1842
back-cut1845
bum1845
leg sweep1846
slog1846
square cut1850
driver1851
Harrow drive1851
leg slip1852
poke1853
snick1857
snorter1859
leg stroke1860
smite1861
on-drive1862
bump ball1864
rocketer1864
pull1865
grass trimmer1867
late cut1867
off-drive1867
spoon1871
push1873
push stroke1873
smack1875
Harrow drive1877
pull-stroke1880
leg glance1883
gallery-hit1884
boundary-stroke1887
glide1888
sweep1888
boundary1896
hook1896
leg glide1896
backstroke1897
flick1897
hook stroke1897
cover-drive1898
straight drive1898
square drive1900
edger1905
pull-drive1905
slash1906
placing stroke1907
push drive1912
block shot1915
if-shot1920
placing shot1921
cow-shot1922
mow1925
Chinese cut1937
haymaker1954
hoick1954
perhapser1954
air shot1956
steepler1959
mishook1961
swish1963
chop-
1883 Cricket 19 Apr. 39/1 Horan came in after lunch, and soon commenced to score in his own peculiar style, leg glances being his favourite stroke.
1926 J. B. Hobbs Test Match Surprise xvi. 171 What he intended for a leg glance was nothing more than a ‘mow’ between square leg and mid-on.
1993 Cricket World 3 Apr. 24/3 It's tempting to remember the game as all style and elegance, as symbolized by Ranji's leg-glance and Denis Compton's cover drive.
2014 Guardian 29 Dec. Looking for a feathered edge off a leg-glance, perhaps?
leg glide n. a leg glance, esp. when played with little or no movement of the batter's wrists; cf. glide n. 1b.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of stroke
long ball1744
nip1752
catch1816
no-hit1827
cut1833
short hit1833
draw1836
drive1836
square hit1837
skylarker1839
skyer1840
skyscraper1842
back-cut1845
bum1845
leg sweep1846
slog1846
square cut1850
driver1851
Harrow drive1851
leg slip1852
poke1853
snick1857
snorter1859
leg stroke1860
smite1861
on-drive1862
bump ball1864
rocketer1864
pull1865
grass trimmer1867
late cut1867
off-drive1867
spoon1871
push1873
push stroke1873
smack1875
Harrow drive1877
pull-stroke1880
leg glance1883
gallery-hit1884
boundary-stroke1887
glide1888
sweep1888
boundary1896
hook1896
leg glide1896
backstroke1897
flick1897
hook stroke1897
cover-drive1898
straight drive1898
square drive1900
edger1905
pull-drive1905
slash1906
placing stroke1907
push drive1912
block shot1915
if-shot1920
placing shot1921
cow-shot1922
mow1925
Chinese cut1937
haymaker1954
hoick1954
perhapser1954
air shot1956
steepler1959
mishook1961
swish1963
chop-
1896 Dundee Courier & Argus 4 May 6/1 The latter opened his account with a 5 leg glide to the boundary.
1920 D. J. Knight in P. F. Warner Cricket (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) (new ed.) i. 33 The first of the leg strokes, the leg glide, is a glorious one to watch.
1955 Times 12 July 12/4 Just before luncheon he had lost Brookes, who, after a beautiful leg glide, missed one from Smith to be out leg before.
2013 Daily Tel. 19 July The first Indian genius was Ranjitsinhji, he of the silky leg glide and late cut.
leg hit n. an aggressive or powerful stroke in which the ball is hit to the leg side; (in early use) spec. a stroke played on the front foot in which the batter hits a ball pitched outside the leg stump to or behind square leg.
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1833 Gentleman's Mag. Sept. 293/2 His cut to the point was unrivalled, and his leg hit very powerful and sure.
1888 R. H. Lyttelton in A. G. Steel & R. H. Lyttelton Cricket (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) ii. 65 George Parr's leg hit..was the sweep to long-leg off a shortish ball.
1951 Times 7 Mar. 2 He, like Coleman, was bowled trying a huge leg hit off Tattersall.
1994 Times 26 Aug. 38/3 Speight, attempting a leg hit, skied the last to the wicketkeeper.
leg hitter n. a batter who regularly hits the ball to the leg side; (in early use) spec. a batter who is adept at playing a leg hit; cf. leg hit n.
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1843 ‘Wykhamist’ Pract. Hints Cricket 17 He will soon become an effective leg-hitter.
1931 Pall Mall Mag. Aug. 106/1 George Parr of Notts, the finest leg-hitter of his own or any day—hitting to leg now.
1961 Guardian 31 Aug. 5/2 Miller, left-arm spinner and leg hitter, reached 53.
1968 Times 23 Aug. 11/4 Lindsay, a paragon leg hitter, hooked Cottam mightily and Butcher swung Shackleton over long leg for four.
leg hitting n. the action of hitting the ball to the leg side; (in early use) spec. the action of playing a leg hit; cf. leg hit n.
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1838 Brighton Patriot 21 Aug. The leg hitting of Wenman was some of the finest ever witnessed on the ground.
1895 Manch. Guardian 13 July 9/2 He batted his best form, his cutting and leg hitting being crisp and clean.
1963 Times 31 Aug. 3 The fierce driving and leg hitting by Barrington and Lock brought a partnership of 54.
leg play n. (a) the action of hitting the ball to the leg side; (b) = pad play n. at pad n.2 Compounds 2.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of batting
blocking1637
quilting1822
defence1825
cutting1827
forward play1828
defensive1832
swiping1833
back-cutting1842
straight play1843
back play1844
sticking1873
leg play1877
off-driving1884
gallery-hitting1888
goose game1899
straight driving1904
stroke-play1905
pad play1906
on-driving1948
stroke-making1956
1877 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 12 Feb. Alexander secured a single by pretty leg play.
1888 R. H. Lyttelton in A. G. Steel & R. H. Lyttelton Cricket (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) xvi. 411 Is he [sc. the bowler] not entitled to a little consideration when all his efforts..are neutralised by the leg and not the bat? It may be reckoned a certainty that neither Dark nor Caldecourt could have foreseen the prevalence of modern leg play.
1908 Observer 30 Aug. 9/4 The dependence on the ball's pitching in a straight line..was equitable before leg play became an accomplishment of the highly defensive batsman.
1950 Spectator 18 Aug. 206/2 I am convinced that if Sir Donald [Bradman] had had my training in leg-play he would have made light of body-line bowling.
2011 Daily Tel. 11 Sept. Cook/Anderson have a bunch of fielders on the legside boundary, which seems a bit peculiar, seeing that Jadeja seems to have a pre-WG attitude to leg-play—i.e. that it's just not cricket.
leg-spin n. spin that causes the ball to turn from the leg side towards the off side after it has pitched; (later also) bowling, typically wrist-spin, in which the ball is delivered with this spin; frequently attributive; cf. off-spin n.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > [noun] > a ball bowled > motion of ball > specific
curl1833
screw1840
devil1845
rise1845
work1846
break1851
spin1851
hang1866
bump1867
fire1888
leg-spin1888
air break1900
turn1900
underspin1901
off-spin1904
finger spin1905
swing1906
back-spin1916
outswing1921
inswing1927
away swing1936
wrist-spin1960
1888 A. G. Steel in A. G. Steel & R. H. Lyttelton Cricket (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) iii. 116 The ball, coming from a great distance round the wicket and with a considerable amount of leg spin, would be gradually working away to the batsman's off side.
1924 Manch. Guardian 23 May 4/2 Pitching his leg spin on the middle of the wicket.
1966 B. Close Close on Cricket v. 55 We have a quantity of good finger-spin bowlers but few leg-spin bowlers in first-class cricket.
1987 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 17 Feb. (Sport section) 36 An excellent display of quality leg-spin bowling with subtle variation of line and length.
2015 Advertiser (Adelaide) (Nexis) 18 Jan. (Sport section) 33 Imran Khan, who was a great believer in leg-spin as an attacking weapon, utilised the talents of Mushtaq Ahmed to help him win the trophy.
leg-spinner n. a bowler who bowls leg spin; (also) a leg spin delivery; cf. off-spin n.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricketer > [noun] > bowler > types of bowler
slow bowler1823
fast bowler1828
bias bowler1854
round-arm1858
demon bowler1861
left-hander1864
chucker1882
lobster1889
slow1895
leg-breaker1904
speed merchant1913
leg-spinner1920
spin bowler1920
off-spinner1924
quickie1934
tweaker1935
swerve-bowler1944
pace bowler1947
seam bowler1948
spinner1951
seamer1952
wrist-spinner1957
outswinger1958
swing bowler1958
quick1960
stock bowler1968
paceman1972
leggy1979
1920 Observer 27 June 21 That leg-spinner of whom the papers have talked so much may easily bowl fifty per cent.
1924 Manch. Guardian 5/1 To hit against the break of a good-length leg spinner is to sin against the first principle of batsmanship.
1965 P. Walker Winning Cricket iv. 57 Nowadays you have to bowl leg spinners with the accuracy of an orthodox right hander to achieve even moderate success.
2005 Evening Standard (Nexis) 15 July 71 We must be wary we don't end up playing Shane Warne the myth rather than Shane Warne the leg-spinner.
leg stroke n. = leg hit n.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of stroke
long ball1744
nip1752
catch1816
no-hit1827
cut1833
short hit1833
draw1836
drive1836
square hit1837
skylarker1839
skyer1840
skyscraper1842
back-cut1845
bum1845
leg sweep1846
slog1846
square cut1850
driver1851
Harrow drive1851
leg slip1852
poke1853
snick1857
snorter1859
leg stroke1860
smite1861
on-drive1862
bump ball1864
rocketer1864
pull1865
grass trimmer1867
late cut1867
off-drive1867
spoon1871
push1873
push stroke1873
smack1875
Harrow drive1877
pull-stroke1880
leg glance1883
gallery-hit1884
boundary-stroke1887
glide1888
sweep1888
boundary1896
hook1896
leg glide1896
backstroke1897
flick1897
hook stroke1897
cover-drive1898
straight drive1898
square drive1900
edger1905
pull-drive1905
slash1906
placing stroke1907
push drive1912
block shot1915
if-shot1920
placing shot1921
cow-shot1922
mow1925
Chinese cut1937
haymaker1954
hoick1954
perhapser1954
air shot1956
steepler1959
mishook1961
swish1963
chop-
1860 Birmingham Daily Post 27 June Anderson followed with one for a heavy leg stroke off the same bowler.
1906 Westm. Gaz. 12 July 4/1 This leg-stroke off a straight ball has two great merits—it scores runs and it puts the bowler off.
1949 Times of India 14 Aug. 5/4 Sutcliffe played too soon on a leg stroke to Hollies, and Bedser knelt to take the catch.
2014 Port Macquarie News (Nexis) 13 Jan. 11 Boydell's leg strokes were a feature of his innings, and his 63 were a valuable contribution.
leg stump n. the stump on the leg side of the wicket defended by the batter; cf. off stump n.
ΚΠ
1829 Bell's Life in London 23 Aug. When there shall be less than five players on a side, bounds shall be placed twenty-two yards each in a line from the off and leg stump.
1881 Daily News 9 July 2 Spiro was clean bowled, leg stump by the Eton captain.
1956 A. R. Alston Test Comm. ix. 62 Oakman edged an intended off-drive past the leg-stump for four.
2014 Guardian 19 Dec. He survives, somewhat luckily, replays showing the ball would have struck leg stump.
leg sweep n. = sweep n. 5b.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [noun] > types of stroke
long ball1744
nip1752
catch1816
no-hit1827
cut1833
short hit1833
draw1836
drive1836
square hit1837
skylarker1839
skyer1840
skyscraper1842
back-cut1845
bum1845
leg sweep1846
slog1846
square cut1850
driver1851
Harrow drive1851
leg slip1852
poke1853
snick1857
snorter1859
leg stroke1860
smite1861
on-drive1862
bump ball1864
rocketer1864
pull1865
grass trimmer1867
late cut1867
off-drive1867
spoon1871
push1873
push stroke1873
smack1875
Harrow drive1877
pull-stroke1880
leg glance1883
gallery-hit1884
boundary-stroke1887
glide1888
sweep1888
boundary1896
hook1896
leg glide1896
backstroke1897
flick1897
hook stroke1897
cover-drive1898
straight drive1898
square drive1900
edger1905
pull-drive1905
slash1906
placing stroke1907
push drive1912
block shot1915
if-shot1920
placing shot1921
cow-shot1922
mow1925
Chinese cut1937
haymaker1954
hoick1954
perhapser1954
air shot1956
steepler1959
mishook1961
swish1963
chop-
1846 W. Denison Cricket: Sketches of Players 17 His [sc. G. Brockwell's] ‘leg sweeps’ are very powerful, and generally speaking they are along the ground—not lifted.
1904 Manch. Guardian 17 May 4/5 Quaife soon after made an exceedingly clever leg sweep for the same result, and with a snick to leg gained the first boundary.
2000 Sunday Times 23 July 17 Matt Prior scored 93 before falling playing an ambitious leg sweep as he ran out of partners.
leg theory n. the tactic or practice of bowling at the leg stump with a concentration of fielders close in on the leg side; cf. off-theory n. at off n. 4, leg trap n. (a) at Compounds 2a.While leg theory is sometimes used with spin-bowling, it is chiefly associated with seam bowling; with quot. 1933 cf. body line adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > [noun] > theories
off-theory1883
leg theory1894
on-theory1896
1894 New Rev. May 635 Palmer also, good bowler as he was, would undoubtedly have been better if he had not embraced the leg-theory.
1923 Daily Mail 11 Aug. 7/4 Newman, following the fashion of the match, bowled the leg theory with a crescent of fieldsmen close in on the leg side.
1933 Times of India 7 Nov. 5/3 Larwood, who never bowled anything but fast leg theory—which is not bodyline at all—told me himself who invented the term.
2006 Times 8 Dec. 100 Warne is by no means the first bowler to have closed down a match with a version of what might be called leg theory.

Derivatives

leg-like adj. that resembles a leg in shape, appearance, or function.
ΚΠ
1835 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 125 317 It will be sufficient to notice the determinate leg-like form of these disengaged limbs.
1893 T. R. R. Stebbing Hist. Crustacea iv. 41 Close up to the lower lip, and as little leg-like as any of the appendages, are placed the first maxillæ.
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) I. xiv. 353 Second come the pedipalps, usually six-jointed and leg-like. They help in feeling, compensating..for the absence of antennae.
1990 Sci. Amer. June 62 (caption) Frogfishes move across the substrate with the help of leg-like fins. They do so either by ‘crutching’..or by ‘walking’.
2011 Sherbrooke (Quebec) Record (Nexis) 6 Oct. 2 The spindly leg-like supports of each work rest on the gallery floor.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

legv.

Brit. /lɛɡ/, U.S. /lɛɡ/
Forms: see leg n.
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: leg n.
Etymology: < leg n.
1.
a. transitive. to leg it.
(a) To travel or move by foot; to walk or (now esp.) run. Cf. leg n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > going swiftly on foot > go swiftly on foot [verb (intransitive)]
to stir one's stumpsa1500
to leg it?1587
skelp1721
split1790
to show a leg1818
to go the pace1829
step1856
?1587 J. Deacon Treat. Nobody is my Name sig. A8v Come, let vs legge it a little to ouer-take the man.
1601 J. Deacon & J. Walker Dialogicall Disc. Spirits & Diuels 3 Well then, let vs legge it a little.
1837 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 1st Ser. (ed. 2) xxiv He was a leggin it off hot foot.
1899 R. Kipling Stalky & Co. i. 4 We're goin' along the cliffs after butterflies..We're goin' to leg it, too. You'd better leave your book behind.
1946 S. J. Perelman Keep it Crisp 202 I legged it to the stationery store.
2005 Bliss July 50/2 I legged it to the bathroom.
(b) spec. colloquial (originally and chiefly British). To flee, run away.
ΚΠ
1920 P. G. Wodehouse Little Warrior viii. 149 Jill Mariner had gone completely bust; Underhill had given her the miss-in-baulk; and the poor girl had legged it, no one knew where.
1921 P. G. Wodehouse Let. 3 July in Yours, Plum (1990) i. 23 Both men offered to sell me ‘other Wodehouse’ books, but I smiled gently and legged it.
1940 J. Strachey Let. in P. Meisel & W. Kendrick Bloomsbury/Freud 312 Things began to go off, so we turned round and legged it back to the house on the double.
1993 Options Aug. 44/3 To be honest, I didn't wait for Charlie, I just legged it.
2006 New Yorker 17 Apr. 70/3 If I leg it this minute, I'll have time to get down onto the road and into the van before the cops arrive.
b. intransitive. Originally Scottish = sense 1a(a). With adverb of direction, esp. off.
ΚΠ
1790 D. Morison Poems 7 The wives leg hame an' trim their fires.
1840 I. Steward Interdict I. 54 Blind Mawria legged off wid our share o' the last.
1910 Railroad Men Apr. 245/2 I had legged off half a mile to the rear of the train.
1987 W. Russell Our Day Out & Other Plays (1991) 54 (stage direct.) Reilly and Digga hear him and leg away past Colin and the terrified girls.
2004 Vancouver Sun (Nexis) 14 Apr. f2 Reporter Long had legged off to participate with the rest of the runners.
c. intransitive. To climb up a rope, tree, etc. Cf. shin v. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > ascend (something) [verb (transitive)] > climb up or scale > climb by clasping with legs and arms
climbc1275
swarm15..
grapple1598
swarvea1650
swarm1668
shin1891
leg1893
1893 J. M. Brown Stray Sport I. i. ii. 51 A troop of the large Hanúmán monkeys are legging up the trees.
1896 ‘O. Rhoscomyl’ Battlement & Tower xviii. 168 And to leg up a rope, like African monkeys, on to a wall having a guarded tower..at one end, and at the other a sally-port that can let out five times seventy men upon us!
1916 19th Cent. & After Apr. 743 And every morning my pal legged up a tree and lay there among the withies.
2004 C. Bateson Airdancer of Glass 113 He'd legged up a little of the cable to test it.
2. intransitive and transitive with it. To make a gesture of submission or deferential respect; to bow, curtsy. Also with unto. Cf. leg n. 4. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > respect or show respect [verb (intransitive)] > bow, kneel, or curtsey
loutc825
abowOE
bowa1000
kneel?a1000
kneec1000
crookc1320
to bow the knee1382
inclinec1390
crouchc1394
croukc1394
coucha1500
plya1500
to make or do courtesy1508
beck1535
to make a (long, low, etc.) leg1548
curtsya1556
dopc1557
binge1562
jouk1567
beckon1578
benda1586
humblea1592
vaila1593
to scrape a leg1602
congee1606
to give the stoop1623
leg1628
scrape1645
to drop a curtsy1694
salaam1698
boba1794
dip1818
to make (also perform) a cheese1834
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [verb (transitive)] > show respect for > bow or curtsey to
lout971
abowOE
aloutc1390
obeishc1400
curtsy1566
cringe1609
leg1628
salaam1684
wreathe1730
bob1847
1628 F. Hubert Deplorable Life Edward II (unauthorized ed.) 68 [They] Are legg'd and crouch'd vnto, for feare they sting.
1633 J. Shirley Bird in Cage v. i He'l kisse his hand and leg it.
3. To propel a canal boat through a tunnel by lying on the boat and pushing against the walls of the tunnel with one's legs. Frequently in to leg through.
a. intransitive. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling other than by sail or oars > propel boat other than by sail or oars [verb (transitive)] > propel through tunnel by legs
leg1825
1825 H. H. Joy Thames Navigation 65 The most approved mode of performing it [sc. the passage of a tunnel], videlicet, by lying on your back with your feet uppermost, and kicking or ‘legging’ through.
1888 Spectator 22 Sept. 1296/1 They save expense where they can, and leg through rather than pay us or the tug for taking them through the tunnels.
1953 ‘C. S. Forester’ Hornblower & Atropos i. 11 ‘Damn it,’ he said, ‘I'll help you leg through.’
1993 S. Stewart Ramlin Rose vii. 74 You wasn't allowed to leg durin tug-hours, legging took over two hours and the tug was comin through one way or the other bout every hour.
b. transitive. With the boat or tunnel as object. Now historical.
ΚΠ
1836 G. Head Home Tour 144 Two hours is the time occupied in ‘legging’ a boat through.
1861 S. Smiles Lives Engineers II. 421 After legging Harecastle Tunnel..the men were usually completely exhausted.
1891 V. C. Cotes Two Girls on Barge 86 A little..boy was lying on his back, legging the boat along.
1907 Pall Mall Mag. July 114/2 This tunnel has to be ‘legged’ through.
2009 S. Fisher Canals of Brit. x. 48/2 Until 1871 boats were legged through.
4. transitive. To wound in the leg with a projectile, esp. in order to disable or injure without killing. Cf. wing v. 8.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound > wound with missile
shootc893
shoot1297
feather1415
to shoot (a person, thing) through1535
daga1572
pistol1598
lace1622
to shoot‥through and througha1648
pink1661
pop1762
plump1785
wing1802
drill1808
rifle1821
leg1829
hole1847
shot1855
blunderbuss1870
riddle1874
pip1900
slot1987
1829 W. M. Thackeray Let. 29 Mar. (1945) I. 50 I wish he had legged ‘The Duke’—at the Battle of Battersea.
1852 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 72 303 Those [pebbles] aimed at his head and body he turned aside, and jumped over those that threatened to leg him.
1887 A. J. Bethell Notes S. Afr. Hunting iii. 54 Small shot is only as a pleasant stimulant to him [sc. a pheasant], and you can wing him or leg him with large shot and still he will beat you.
1988 Shooting Times 18 Aug. 34/3 I legged a hare and it went into that hedge.
5. transitive. slang. To cause (a person) to fall or overbalance by tripping or otherwise impeding the legs. Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > cause to stumble and fall
stumblec1330
supplantc1350
tripc1425
to give a person the foot1767
leg1835
1835 A. B. Longstreet Georgia Scenes 85 The name of Washington cured their wounds, and dried up their tears in an instant, and they legged him de novo.
1880 J. J. Wright Play with your own Marbles 105 He fell down, legged-up by something in the church-yard.
1899 D. A. Dickert Hist. Kershaw's Brigade xl. 506 You tackle him in front and I'll leg him in rear.
1968 K. M. van Zandt Force without Fanfare iii. 29 We legged him and soon had him on the ground.
2014 P. Earle Bubble Wrap Boy xxxv. 186 I could also see it getting caught..and legging me up before I even started.
6. transitive. Nautical. to leg along: to lead out (a rope or ropes) in preparation for use. Cf. sense leg n. 12. Obsolete.The precise meaning of this phrase is uncertain, and it is possible that leg along is a noun phrase belonging at leg n. Phrases 4 (cf. quot. 1867).
ΚΠ
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Leg along, ropes laid on end, ready for manning.
1881 Naval Encyl. 431/2 Leg along, to lead out a rope ready to be manned.
7. transitive. With up. To raise (a boat) off the ground using bars or poles as props. Cf. leg n. 9a. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1886 R. C. Leslie Sea-painter's Log iv. 68 The selection of a good hard bottom upon which to lay ashore and leg-up a yacht, is an important matter.
1894 R. C. Leslie Waterbiogr. x. 187 A small fleet of half-decked trawlers and shrimpers..lay legged up on the hard for a scrub.
8. transitive. Cricket. To hit (a ball) to the leg side; = to hit to (the) leg at leg n. 23. Cf. leg hit n. at leg n. Compounds 2b. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (transitive)] > hit > hit with specific stroke
take1578
stop1744
nip1752
block1772
drive1773
cut1816
draw1816
tip1816
poke1836
spoon1836
mow1844
to put up1845
smother1845
sky1849
crump1850
to pick up1851
pull1851
skyrocket1851
swipe1851
to put down1860
to get away1868
smite1868
snick1871
lift1874
crack1882
smack1882
off-drive1888
snip1890
leg1892
push1893
hook1896
flick1897
on-drive1897
chop1898
glance1898
straight drive1898
cart1903
edge1904
tonk1910
sweep1920
mishook1934
middle1954
square-drive1954
tickle1963
square-cut1976
slash1977
splice1982
paddle1986
1892 R. Blatchford Fantasias 89 Pringles legged him for four.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 11 July 5/2 The newcomer at once started scoring... Nicholl followed him by legging Hopley to the covered stands.
1903 Star 8 July 3/4 His first ball was legged by Ranji for what would really have been 3 with a couple of smart sprinters.
9. transitive. Sheep-shearing (chiefly New Zealand). To catch (a sheep) by the leg and drag it to be sheared.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp > by specific part of body
scruff1885
leg1915
1915 Amer. Sheep Breeder Oct. 455/1 The double action swing doors of the catching pens effectually cure shearers of the careless habit of 'legging' the sheep.
1951 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs 385 To leg a sheep is to haul him from the pen to the board by his hind leg, a practice much objected to, especially by owners of heavy sheep.
1955 G. Bowen Wool Away! 19 Legging the sheep out on the board. The sheep is caught by the hind leg, and, with the other hand on the back of the sheep, it is dragged backwards.
10. transitive. Baseball. to leg out: to reach a base or home plate safely on (a batted ball), esp. as a result of swift running on a close play.
ΚΠ
1933 Charleston (W. Va.) Gaz. 23 June f3/1 Thomas had ‘legged’ one [sc. a single] out in the third on a grounder to Joe Longnecker.
1968 Joplin (Missouri) News Herald 25 July b2/4 (photo caption) Chuck Huddleston..legs out a grounder in the second inning of the..Babe Ruth League game.
1997 A. M. Klein Baseball on Border Pref. p. x This mustachioed burly trio lives for power, rarely attempting to leg out a wall-banging hit for a double.
2013 Toronto Star (Nexis) 3 July (Sports section) s4 Josh giddy-upped to first legging out a weak bleeder that Cabrera bounced on the throw.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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