LEET, l[=e]t, _n._ (_Scot._) a selected list of candidates for an
office.--SHORT LEET, a small list of selected candidates--for the final
choice. [Ice. _leiti_, a share; cf. A.S. _hlét_, _hlýt_, forms of _hlot_,
lot.]
LEET, l[=e]t, _n._ an ancient English court, esp. the assembly of the men
of a township: the district subject to such: the right to hold such a
court.--_n._ COURT'-LEET (see COURT). [A.S. _l['æ]th_.]
LEETLE, l[=e]'tl, a vulgarism for _little_.
LEEZE, l[=e]z (_Scot._), in phrase LEEZE ME, it is pleasing to me. [Prob. a
corr. of _Lief is me_.]
LEFT, left, _pa.p._ (_Spens._) lifted.
LEFT, left, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of leave.--_adj._ LEFT'-OFF, laid aside.
LEFT, left, _adj._ being on the left side--also LEFT'-HAND.--_n._ the side
opposite to the right: the part of an assembly sitting on the president's
left hand, generally the more liberal or democratic section.--_adv._ toward
the left.--_adj._ LEFT'-HAND'ED, having the left hand stronger and readier
than the right: awkward: unlucky.--_ns._ LEFT'-HAND'EDNESS; LEFT'-HAND'ER,
a blow with the left hand, a sudden and unexpected attack;
LEFT'-HAND'INESS, awkwardness.--_adv._ LEFT'WARD, towards the left: on the
left side. [M. E. _lift_, _left_--A.S. _left_ for _lyft_, weak; prob.
allied to _lop_.]
LEG, leg, _n._ one of the limbs by which animals walk: a long, slender
support of anything, as of a table: (_fig._) something that supports: in
cricket, that part of the field, or that fielder, to the left of and behind
the batsman as he faces the bowler.--_v.i._ to pass on briskly, often with
indef. _it._--_ns._ LEG'-BAIL (see BAIL); LEG'-BUS'INESS, ballet-dancing;
LEG'-BYE, in cricket, a run made when the ball touches any part of the
batsman's person except his hand.--_adj._ LEGGED, having legs.--_ns._
LEG'GING, an outer and extra gaiter-like covering for the legs; LEG'GISM,
character of a blackleg.--_adj._ LEG'GY, having disproportionately long and
lank legs.--_n._ LEG'-[=I]'RON, a fetter for the leg.--_adj._ LEG'LESS,
without legs.--CHANGE THE LEG (of a horse), to change the gait; FEEL ONE'S
LEGS (of an infant), to begin to support one's self on the legs; FIND ONE'S
LEGS, to become habituated to, to attain ease in; GIVE A LEG TO, to assist
by supporting the leg; IN HIGH LEG, in great excitement; MAKE A LEG
(_Shak._), to make a bow; ON ONE'S LAST LEGS (see LAST); ON ONE'S LEGS,
standing, esp. to speak; UPON ITS LEGS, in an independent position. [Ice.
_leggr_, a leg; Dan. _læg_, Sw. _lägg_.]
LEGACY, leg'a-si, _n._ that which is left to one by will: a bequest of
personal property.--_ns._ LEG'ACY-HUNT'ER, one who hunts after legacies by
courting those likely to leave them; LEG'ATARY, a legatee; LEGATEE', one to
whom a legacy is bequeathed.--LEGACY DUTY, a duty levied on legacies,
varying according to degree of relationship, and reaching its maximum where
the legatee is not related to the testator.--CUMULATIVE, or SUBSTITUTIONAL,
LEGACY, a second legacy given to the same person, either in addition to or
in place of the first; DEMONSTRATIVE LEGACY, a general legacy, but with a
particular fund named from which it is to be satisfied; GENERAL LEGACY, a
sum of money payable out of the assets generally; RESIDUARY LEGATEE, the
person to whom the remainder of the property is left after all claims are
discharged; SPECIFIC LEGACY, a legacy of a definite thing, as jewels,
pictures, a sum of stock in the Funds, &c. [L. _legatum_--_leg[=a]re_, to
leave by will.]
LEGAL, l[=e]'gal, _adj._ pertaining to, or according to, law: lawful:
created by law: (_theol._) according to the Mosaic law or
dispensation.--_n._ L[=E]'GALIS[=A]TION.--_v.t._ L[=E]'GALISE, to make
legal or lawful: to authorise: to sanction.--_ns._ L[=E]'GALISM, strict
adherence to law: (_theol._) the doctrine that salvation depends on strict
adherence to the law, as distinguished from the doctrine of salvation by
grace: the tendency to observe the letter rather than the spirit of
religious law; L[=E]'GALIST; LEGAL'ITY.--_adv._ L[=E]'GALLY.--LEGAL TENDER,
that which can be lawfully used in paying a debt. [Fr.,--L.
_legalis_--_lex_, _legis_, law.]
LEGATE, leg'[=a]t, _n._ an ambassador, esp. from the Pope: a delegate,
deputy, esp. a foreign envoy chosen by the senate of ancient Rome, or a
general or consul's lieutenant.--_n._ LEG'ATESHIP.--_adj._ Leg'at[=i]ne, of
or relating to a legate.--_n._ LEG[=A]'TION, the person or persons sent as
legates or ambassadors: the official abode of a legation. [Fr. _légat_, It.
_legato_--L. _legatus_--_leg[=a]re_, to send with a commission.]
LEGATEE. See LEGACY.
LEGATO, l[=a]-gä'to, _adj._ (_mus._) in a smooth manner, the notes being
played as if bound together.--_n._ a smooth manner of performance, or a
tune so played.--_adv._ (_sup._) LEGATISS'IMO. [It.,--L. _lig[=a]re_, to
tie.]
LEGEND, lej'end, or l[=e]'-, _n._ a marvellous story from early times: the
motto on a coat of arms, medal, or coin: an inscription of any kind: a
musical composition set to a poetical story.--_n._ LEG'ENDARY, a book of
legends: one who relates legends: (_pl._) a chronicle of the lives of
saints.--_adj._ consisting of legends: romantic: fabulous.--_n._
LEG'ENDIST, a writer of legends.--GOLDEN LEGEND (see GOLDEN). [Fr.,--Low L.
_legenda_, a book of chronicles of the saints read at matins--L.
_legendus_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]
LEGER, lej'[.e]r, _adj._ light: small.--_ns._ LEGER'ITY (_Shak._),
lightness; LEG'ER'-LINE (_mus._), one of the short lines added above or
below the staff to extend its compass. [O. Fr.,--L. _l[)e]vis_, light.]
LEGERDEMAIN, lej-[.e]r-d[=e]-m[=a]n', _n._ sleight-of-hand: jugglery. [Fr.
_léger de main_--L. as if _leviarius_--_levis_, light, Fr. _de_, of,
_main_--L. _manus_, hand.]
LEGHORN, leg'horn, _n._ fine plait for bonnets and hats made in Tuscany: a
bonnet of this material: a small breed of the common domestic fowl.
[_Leghorn_ (It. _Livorno_), a seaport of Tuscany, Italy.]
LEGIBLE, lej'i-bl, _adj._ that may be read: that may be understood.--_ns._
LEG'IBLENESS, LEGIBIL'ITY.--_adv._ LEG'IBLY. [L. _legibilis_--_leg[)e]re_,
to read.]
LEGION, l[=e]'jun, _n._ in ancient Rome, a body of soldiers of from three
to six thousand: a military force: a great number: in French history, the
name of several military bodies, more esp. one which distinguished itself
in Algeria and in the Crimea.--_v.t._ to form into legions.--_adj._
L[=E]'GIONARY, relating to, or consisting of, a legion or legions:
containing a great number.--_n._ a soldier of a legion.--LEGION OF HONOUR,
an order of merit instituted in France in 1802 by Napoleon I.; THUNDERING
LEGION, the name in Christian tradition for a body of soldiers under Marcus
Aurelius, whose prayers for rain once brought down a thunderstorm and
destroyed the enemy. [Fr.,--L. _legion-em_--_leg[)e]re_, to levy.]
LEGISLATE, lej'is-l[=a]t, _v.i._ to bring forward, propose, or make
laws.--_n._ LEGISL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ LEG'ISLATIVE, giving or enacting laws:
pertaining to legislation, or a legislature.--_n._ a body of persons, or a
single person, with powers to enact laws.--_adv._ LEG'ISLATIVELY.--_n._
LEG'ISLATOR, one who makes laws: a lawgiver:--_fem._ LEG'ISLATRESS.--_adj._
LEGISLAT[=O]'RIAL, of or pertaining to a legislature.--_ns._
LEG'ISLATORSHIP; LEG'ISLATURE, the body of men in a state who have the
power of making laws.--LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (see ASSEMBLY); LEGISLATIVE
POWER, the power to make laws.--CLASS LEGISLATION, legislation affecting
the interests of a particular class. [L. _lex_, _legis_, law, _ferre_,
_latum_, to bear.]