leg

leg · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Each of the limbs on which a person or animal walks and stands.

  2. 2.

    The leg of an animal or bird as food.

  3. 3.

    One of the supports of a piece of furniture or equipment.

  4. 4.

    A section or stage of a journey or race.

  5. 5.

    A branch of a forked object.

  6. 6.

    One side of a right-angled triangle (in geometry).

Forms

plural: legs

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    pull someone's leg — Tease or joke with someone.
  • •
    break a leg — Good luck (theater tradition).
  • •
    leg up — An advantage or assistance.
  • •
    leg it — Run away (British informal).
  • •
    on one's last legs — Near the end; exhausted.
  • •
    not have a leg to stand on — Have no support for one's argument.
  • •
    shake a leg — Hurry up; get moving.
  • •
    cost an arm and a leg — Be very expensive.
  • •
    stretch one's legs — Walk around after sitting for a while.

Related words

See also: arm, foot, knee, limb, thigh
Synonyms: limb, shank

Etymology

From Old Norse leggr ("leg, bone"), which replaced the Old English word sceanca ("shank"). Related to Danish and Norwegian leg and Swedish lägg.