legendとは 意味・読み方・使い方

発音

• IPA^(key): /ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənd/
• (廃れた用法) IPA^(key): /ˈliːdʒ.ənd/^[1]

名詞

legend (countable かつ uncountable, 複数形 legends)

1. An unrealistic story depicting past events.
   1. A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.

      Synonym: myth

      The legend of Troy was discovered to have a historical basis.

   2. A plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain.

      the legend of Robin Hood

   3. A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.

      Synonyms: myth, tall tale

      The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends. Here's the real story.

   4. A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records.

      Synonym: cover story

      According to his legend, he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.

      • 1992, Ronald Kessler, Inside the CIA, Pocket Books, published 1994, →ISBN, page 115:

        If the documents are needed to establish "a light legend," meaning a superficial cover story, no steps are taken to make sure that if someone calls the college or motor vehicle department, the name on the document will be registered.

      • 2003, Rodney Carlisle, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Spies and Espionage, Alpha Books, →ISBN, page 105:

        Sorge solidified his own position by returning to Germany and developing a new legend. He joined the Nazi Party […] .

      • 2005, Curtis Peebles, Twilight Warriors, Naval Institute Press, →ISBN, page 25:

        Both the agent's legend and documents were intended to stand up against casual questions from Soviet citizens, such as during a job interview, or a routine police document check, such as were made at railway stations.

2. A person related to a legend or legends.
   1. A leading protagonist in a historical legend.

      Synonym: hero

      Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.

   2. A person with legend-like qualities, such as extraordinary accomplishment.

      Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.

      1. (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial, slang) A cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male.

         Synonym: brick

         I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend.

3. A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.

   Synonyms: guide, key

   According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.

4. (numismatics, heraldry) An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.

   Synonym: inscription

5. A musical composition set to a poetical story.
6. (naval) The design and specification of a vessel.
   • 1929, Journal of the American Society of Naval Engineers, Inc, page 304:

     The legend displacement on the basis then in use was 48,000 tons, the corresponding standard displacement as defined by the Washington Treaty being 47,540 tons.

   • 1976, Alan Raven; John Roberts, British Battleships of World War Two: The Development and Technical History of the Royal Navy's Battleships and Battlecruisers from 1911 to 1946, page 63:

     The legend and sketch designs were submitted to the Board on 27th March 1916 and, after examining a model and the drawings, the Sea Lords generally favoured proposal 'B'; the extra weight involved being acceptable.

派生語

関連する語

• lege
• legendary

動詞

legend (三人称単数 現在形 legends, 現在分詞 legending, 過去形および過去分詞形 legended)

1. (archaic, transitive) To tell or narrate; to recount.
   • c. 1600, Joseph Hall, Satires

     Nor ladie's wanton love , nor wand'ring knight,
     Legend I out in rymes all richly dight

参照

Further reading

• legend in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “legend”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.