from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Leg \Leg\ (l[e^]g), n. [Icel. leggr; akin to Dan. l[ae]g calf of
the leg, Sw. l[aum]gg.]
1. A limb or member of an animal used for supporting the
body, and in running, climbing, and swimming; esp., that
part of the limb between the knee and foot.
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2. That which resembles a leg in form or use; especially, any
long and slender support on which any object rests; as,
the leg of a table; the leg of a pair of compasses or
dividers.
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3. The part of any article of clothing which covers the leg;
as, the leg of a stocking or of a pair of trousers.
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4. A bow, esp. in the phrase to make a leg; probably from
drawing the leg backward in bowing. [Obs.]
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He that will give a cap and make a leg in thanks for
a favor he never received. --Fuller.
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5. A disreputable sporting character; a blackleg. [Slang,
Eng.]
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6. (Naut.) The course and distance made by a vessel on one
tack or between tacks.
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7. (Steam Boiler) An extension of the boiler downward, in the
form of a narrow space between vertical plates, sometimes
nearly surrounding the furnace and ash pit, and serving to
support the boiler; -- called also {water leg}.
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8. (Grain Elevator) The case containing the lower part of the
belt which carries the buckets.
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9. (Cricket) A fielder whose position is on the outside, a
little in rear of the batter.
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10. (Math.) Either side of a triangle distinguished from the
base or, in a right triangle, from the hypotenuse; also,
an indefinitely extending branch of a curve, as of a
hyperbola.
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11. (Telephony) A branch or lateral circuit connecting an
instrument with the main line.
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12. (Elec.) A branch circuit; one phase of a polyphase
system.
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{A good leg} (Naut.), a course sailed on a tack which is near
the desired course.
{Leg bail}, escape from custody by flight. [Slang]
{Legs of an hyperbola} (or other curve) (Geom.), the branches
of the curve which extend outward indefinitely.
{Legs of a triangle}, the sides of a triangle; -- a name
seldom used unless one of the sides is first distinguished
by some appropriate term; as, the hypothenuse and two legs
of a right-angled triangle.
{On one's legs}, standing to speak.
{On one's last legs}. See under {Last}.
{To have legs} (Naut.), to have speed.
{To stand on one's own legs}, to support one's self; to be
independent.
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