legend

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noun

Definition of LEGEND

1

an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart <the legend indicated that a large circle represented a major city, while a small circle stood for a small town>

Synonyms key

Related Words scale; caption; guide, table

2

an explanation or description accompanying a pictorial illustration <the legend in the science textbook indicated that the accompanying picture had been enlarged by 1000%>

Synonyms cutline, legend

Related Words key; closed-captioning, subtitle, translation; motto, posy, slogan, tagline

3

a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature <some ancient civilizations had legends about spirits that inhabited trees and rocks>

Synonyms fable, legend, mythos

Related Words allegory, parable; fabrication, fantasy (also phantasy), fiction, figment, invention; narrative, saga, story, tale, yarn

4

the body of customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings associated with a people, thing, or place <that story of how the world came to be has long been part of Native American legend>

Synonyms legend, legendry, lore, myth, mythology, mythos, tradition

Related Words folklife; information, knowledge, wisdom; anecdote, fable, folktale, old wives' tale, tale, yarn