legend

noun leg·end \ˈle-jənd\

: a story from the past that is believed by many people but cannot be proved to be true

: a famous or important person who is known for doing something extremely well

: a list that explains the symbols on a map

Full Definition of LEGEND

a : a story coming down from the past; especially : one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable

b : a body of such stories <a place in the legend of the frontier>

c : a popular myth of recent origin

d : a person or thing that inspires legends

e : the subject of a legend <its violence was legend even in its own time — William Broyles Jr.>

a : an inscription or title on an object (as a coin)

b : caption 2b

c : an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart

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Origin of LEGEND

Middle English legende, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda, from Latin, feminine of legendus, gerundive of legere to gather, select, read; akin to Greek legein to gather, say, logos speech, word, reason

First Known Use: 14th century