01 n. 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…
-
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.
-
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.
-
3.
The part of any article of clothing which covers the leg; as, the leg of a stocking or of a pair of trousers.
-
4.
A bow, esp. in the phrase to make a leg; probably from drawing the leg backward in bowing.[Obs.]“He that will give a cap and make a leg in thanks for a favor he never received.” — Fuller.
-
5.
A disreputable sporting character; a blackleg.[Slang, Eng.]
-
6.
The course and distance made by a vessel on one tack or between tacks.(Naut.)
-
7.
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.(Steam Boiler) Also: water leg
-
8.
The case containing the lower part of the belt which carries the buckets.(Grain Elevator)
-
9.
A fielder whose position is on the outside, a little in rear of the batter.(Cricket)
-
10.
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.(Math.)
-
11.
A branch or lateral circuit connecting an instrument with the main line.(Telephony)
-
12.
A branch circuit; one phase of a polyphase system.(Elec.)
Phrases & compounds
A good leg —
a course sailed on a tack which is near the desired course.
Leg bail —
escape from custody by flight.
Legs of an hyperbola —
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 hypotenuse 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 —
to have speed.
To stand on one's own legs —
to support one's self; to be independent.