leg
n. countablen. one of the long parts of the body that you use for standing and walking. It can also mean the part of a piece of furniture, like a table or chair, that holds it up.
n. one of the limbs of an animal or human used for locomotion and support. By extension, a vertical member of a structure, such as a piece of furniture, that provides stability and elevation.
My legs are tired after that long walk.
The wooden table was unstable because one leg was slightly shorter than the others.
The athlete suffered a minor fracture in her lower leg, which required several weeks of physical therapy before she could return to competitive sprinting.
From Middle English leg, legge, from Old Norse leggr (“leg, calf, bone of the arm or leg, hollow tube, stalk”), from Proto-Germanic lagjaz, lagwijaz (“leg, thigh”) (see it for more). Cognate with Scots leg (“leg”), Icelandic leggur (“leg, limb”), Norwegian Bokmål legg (“leg”), Norwegian Nynorsk legg (“leg”), Swedish lägg (“leg, shank, shaft”), Danish læg (“leg”), Lombardic lagi (“thigh, shank, leg”), Latin lacertus (“limb, arm”), Persian لنگ (leng). Upon borrowing, mostly displaced the native Old English term sċanca (Modern English shank).
Commonly used in the idiom 'on its last legs' to describe something that is old or failing.
- 01
an arm and a leg
Usually used after the verb cost, but also often charge, pay, and spend: a very high price for an item or service; an exorbitant price
- 02
break a leg
Good luck!; Do your best!; Said to someone wishing they perform well in a theatrical production or comparable endeavor.
- 03
get a leg up
To get a boost or a lift.