Lay, lÄ,n.a song: a lyric or narrative poem. [O. Fr.lai, from Celt.; cf. Gael.laoidh, a hymn.]
Lay, lÄ,Laic,-al,lÄ′ik,-al,adjs.pertaining to the people: not clerical: unprofessional: (cards) not trumps.—v.t.LÄ′icise, to deprive of a clerical character.—ns.LÄ′ity, the people as distinguished from any particular profession, esp. the clerical;Lay′-bap′tism, baptism administered by a layman;Lay′-broth′er, a layman: a man under vows of celibacy and obedience, who serves a monastery, but is exempt from the studies and religious services required of the monks;Lay′-commun′ion, the state of being in the communion of the church as a layman;Lay′-imprÅ′priator, an impropriator who is a layman (seeImpropriator);Lay′-lord, a civil lord of the Admiralty;Lay′man, one of the laity: a non-professional man;Lay′-read′er, in the Anglican Church, a layman who receives authority to read the lessons or a part of the service, and who may in certain cases preach or read the sermons of others. [O. Fr.lai—L.laicus—Gr.laikos—laos, the people.]
Lay-day, lÄ′-dÄ,n.one of a number of days allowed a charter-party for shipping or unshipping cargo.
Layer, lÄ′ėr,n.a stratum—betterLair(q.v.). SeeLay.
Layette, lÄ-yet′,n.a baby's complete outfit: a tray for carrying powder in powder-mills. [Fr.]
Lay-figure, lÄ′-fig′ūr,n.a jointed figure used by painters in imitation of the human body, as a model for drapery: a living person or a fictitious character wanting in individuality.—AlsoLay′-man.
Lazar, lÄ′zar,n.one afflicted with a loathsome and pestilential disease like Lazarus, the beggar.—ns.LÄ′zar-house, a lazaretto;Laz′arist, a member of a R.C. order, the Congregation of the Priests of the Mission, founded by St Vincent de Paul in 1624.—adj.LÄ′zar-like, like a lazar: full of sores: leprous. [Fr.lazare—L.,—Gr.Lazaros, in the parable in Luke xvi.—Heb.El‛ÄzÄr, 'he whom God helps.']
Lazaretto, laz-a-ret′Å,n.a public hospital for diseased persons, esp. for such as have infectious disorders: a prison hospital: a place where persons are kept during quarantine.—AlsoLaz′aret. [It.lazzeretto.]
Lazaroni, laz-a-rÅ′ni,n.Same asLazzaroni.
Lazuli, laz′ū-lī. SeeLapis-lazuli, underLapidary.
Lazulite, laz′ū-līt,n.a mineral of a light, indigo-blue colour, occurring in quartz and in clay-slate.
Lazy, lÄ′zi,adj.disinclined to exertion: averse to labour: sluggish: tedious.—v.i.Laze, to be lazy.—adv.LÄ′zily.—ns.LÄ′ziness, state or quality of being lazy;LÄ′zy-bed, a bed for growing potatoes, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with earth dug out of trenches along both sides;LÄ′zybones(coll.), a lazy person, an idler;LÄ′zy-jack, a jack constructed of compound levers pivoted together;LÄ′zy-pin′ion(seeIdle-wheel).—n.pl.LÄ′zy-tongs, tongs consisting of a series of diagonal levers pivoted together at the middle and ends, capable of being extended by a movement of the scissors-like handles so as to pick up objects at a distance. [M. E.lasche—O. Fr.lasche(Fr.lâche), slack, weak, base—L.laxus, loose.]
Lazzaroni, laz-a-rÅ′ni,n.name given to the lowest classes in Naples, idle beggars, with no fixed habitation or regular occupation:—sing.Lazzarone. [It.]
Lea, lē,n.a meadow: grass-land, pasturage.—Older forms,Lay,Lee,Ley. [A.S.leáh; cf. prov. Ger.lohe,loh, found also in place-names, as Waterloo.]
Leach, lēch,v.t.to wash or drain away by percolation of water, esp. to make lye by leaching ashes—alsoLetch.—ns.Leach′-trough,-tub, a trough or tub in which ashes are leached.—adj.Leach′y, liable to be leached, letting water percolate through. [A.S.leccan, to moisten.]
Leach, lēch,n.Same asLeech.
Lead, lÄ“d,v.t.to show the way by going first: to guide by the hand: to direct: to precede: to transport or carry: to allure.—v.i.to go before and show the way: to have a tendency: to exercise dominion:—pr.p.lead′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.led.—n.first place: precedence: direction: (naut.) the course of a running rope from end to end: the right of playing the first card in a round or trick: a main conductor in electrical distribution.—ns.Lead′er, one who leads or goes first: a chief: the leading editorial article in a newspaper (alsoLeading article): principal wheel in any machinery;Leaderette′, a brief newspaper leader;Lead′ership, state or condition of a leader or conductor;Lead′ing-bus′iness, the acting of the principal parts or rôles in plays;Lead′ing-mÅ′tive(Ger.leit-motif), in dramatic music, a principal theme: a theme, usually of but few tones, by which any personage or particular emotion is indicated by suggestion as often as it occurs;Lead′ing-ques′tion, a legal term for a question so put to a witness as to suggest the answer that is wished or expected.—n.pl.Lead′ing-strings, strings used to lead children when beginning to walk: vexatious care or custody.—Lead apes in hell(seeApe);Lead astray, to draw into a wrong course, to seduce from right conduct;Lead by the nose, to make one follow submissively;Lead in prayer, to offer up prayer in an assembly, uniting the prayers of others;Lead off, to begin or take the start in anything;Lead on, to persuade to go on, to draw on;Lead one a dance(seeDance);Lead up to, to bring about by degrees, to prepare for anything by steps or stages. [A.S.lǽdan, to lead,lád, a way; Ger.leiten, to lead.]
Lead, led,n.a well-known metal of a bluish-white colour: the plummet for sounding at sea: a thin plate of lead separating lines of type: (pl.) sheets of lead for covering roofs, a flat roof so covered.—v.t.to cover or fit with lead: (print.) to separate lines with leads.—n.Lead′-arm′ing, tallow, &c., placed in the hollow of a sounding-lead, to ascertain the nature of the bottom.—adjs.Lead′ed, fitted with or set in lead: (print.) separated by leads, as the lines of a book, &c.;Lead′en, made of lead: heavy: dull;Lead′en-heart′ed, having an unfeeling heart;Lead′en-step′ping(Milt.), moving slowly.—ns.Lead′-glance, lead ore, galena;Lead′-mill, a mill for grinding white-lead: a leaden disc charged with emery for grinding gems;Lead′-pen′cil, a pencil or instrument for drawing, &c., made of blacklead;Lead′-poi′soning, orPlumbism, poisoning by the absorption and diffusion of lead in the system, its commonest form,LeadorPainter's Colic;Leads′man, a seaman who heaves the lead.—adj.Lead′y, like lead. [A.S.leád; Ger.loth.]
Leaf, lēf,n.one of the lateral organs developed from the stem or axis of the plant below its growing-point: anything beaten thin like a leaf: two pages of a book: one side of a window-shutter, &c.:—pl.Leaves(lēvz).—v.i.to shoot out or produce leaves:—pr.p.leaf′ing;pa.p.leafed.—ns.Leaf′age, leaves collectively: abundance of leaves: season of leaves or leafing;Leaf′-bridge, a form of drawbridge in which the rising leaf or leaves swing vertically on hinges;Leaf′-bud, a bud producing a stem with leaves only;Leaf′iness;Leaf′-in′sect, an orthopterous insect of familyPhasmidæ, the wing-covers like leaves.—adj.Leaf′less, destitute of leaves.—ns.Leaf′let, a little leaf, a tract;Leaf′-met′al, metal, especially alloys imitating gold and silver, in very thin leaves, for decoration;Leaf′-mould, earth formed from decayed leaves, used as a soil for plants;Leaf′-stalk, the petiole supporting the leaf.—adj.Leaf′y, full of leaves.—Take a leaf out of one's book(seeBook);Turn over a new leaf, to take up a new and better course of conduct. [A.S.leáf; Ger.laub, Dut.loof, a leaf.]
League, lÄ“g,n.a nautical measure,1â„20th of a degree, 3 geographical miles, 3.456 statute miles: an old measure of length, varying from the Roman league, 1.376 mod. Eng. miles, to the French, 2.764 miles, and the Spanish, 4.214 miles. [O. Fr.legue(Fr.lieue)—L.leuca, a Gallic mile of 1500 Roman paces; from the Celt., as in Bret.leó.]
League, lÄ“g,n.a bond or alliance: union for mutual advantage.—v.i.to form a league: to unite for mutual interest:—pr.p.leag′uing;pa.t.andpa.p.leagued.—n.Leag′uer, one connected with a league. [Fr.ligue—Low L.liga—L.ligÄre, to bind.]
Leaguer, lēg′ėr,n.a camp, esp. of a besieging army: siege or besiegement. [Dut.leger, a lair.]
Leak, lēk,n.a crack or hole in a vessel through which liquid may pass: the oozing of any fluid through an opening.—v.i.to let any fluid into or out of a vessel through a leak.—ns.Leak′age, a leaking: that which enters or escapes by leaking: an allowance for leaking;Leak′iness.—adj.Leak′y, having leaks: letting any liquid in or out.—Leak out, to find vent, to get to the public ears;Spring a leak, to begin to let in water. [Ice.leka; Dut.lekken, to drip.]
Leal, lēl,adj.true-hearted, faithful.—Land o' the Leal, the home of the blessed after death—Paradise, not Scotland. [Norm. Fr.leal, same asloyal.]
Leam, lēm,n.(obs.) a gleam of light, a glow.—v.i.to shine. [A.S.leóma.]
Lean, lēn,v.i.to incline or bend: to turn from a straight line: to rest against: to incline towards:—pr.p.lean′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.leaned or leant (lent).—n.Lean′-to, a shed or penthouse whose supports lean upon another building or wall. [A.S.hlinian, and causal formhlǽnan; Dut.leunen.]
Lean, lēn,adj.thin, wanting flesh: not fat: unprofitable, taking extra time—a printer's phrase.—n.flesh without fat.—adj.Lean′-faced, having a thin face: (print.) slender and narrow, as letters.—adv.Lean′ly.—n.Lean′ness.—adj.Lean′-wit′ted, of little sense. [A.S.hlǽne; Low Ger.leen; according to Skeat, fromhlǽnan, to lean (above).]
Leap, lēp,v.i.to move with bounds: to spring upward or forward: to jump: to rush with vehemence.—v.t.to bound over: to cause to take a leap: to cover or copulate (of some beasts):—pr.p.leap′ing;pa.t.leaped or leapt (lept);pa.p.leaped, rarely leapt.—n.act of leaping: bound: space passed by leaping: sudden transition.—ns.Leap′-frog, a play in which one boy places his hands on the back of another stooping in front of him, and vaults over his head;Leap′ing-house(Shak.), a brothel;Leap′ing-time(Shak.), youth;Leap′-year, every fourth year—of 366 days, adding one day in February.—Leap in the dark, an act of which we cannot foresee the consequences. [A.S.hleápan, pa.t.hleóp; Ger.laufen, to run.]
Leap, lēp,n.a basket: a wicker net. [A.S.leáp.]
Lear, lēr,v.t.(Spens.) to learn.—n.that which is learned, a lesson: (Scot.) learning.
Learn, lėrn,v.t.to acquire knowledge of, to get to know: to gain power of performing: (prov.) to teach.—v.i.to gain knowledge: to improve by example.—adjs.Learn′able, that may be learned;Learn′ed, having learning: versed in literature, &c.: skilful.—adv.Learn′edly.—ns.Learn′edness;Learn′er, one who learns: one who is yet in the rudiments of any subject;Learn′ing, what is learned: knowledge: scholarship: skill in languages or science.—New learning, the awakening to classical learning in England in the 16th century, led by Colet, Erasmus, Warham, More, &c. [A.S.leornian; Ger.lernen; cf. A.S.lǽran(Ger.lehren), to teach.]
Lease, lÄ“s,n.a contract letting a house, farm, &c. for a term of years: the duration or term of tenure: any tenure.—v.t.to let for a term of years:—pr.p.leas′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.leased.—adjs.Leas′able;Lease′hold, held by lease or contract.—n.a tenure held by lease.—ns.Lease′holder;Leas′er, one who leases. [Fr.laisser, to leave—L.laxÄre, to loose,laxus, loose.]
Lease, lēz,v.i.(prov.) to glean.—n.Leas′ing, gleaning. [A.S.lesan, to gather.]
Lease, lēs,n.in weaving, the plane in which the warp-threads cross: this system of crossing.
Leash, lēsh,n.a lash or line by which a hawk or hound is held: a brace and a half, three.—v.t.to hold by a leash: to bind. [O. Fr.lesse(Fr.laisse), a thong to hold a dog by—L.laxus, loose.]
Leasing, lēz′ing,n.falsehood, lies: lying. [A.S.lásung—leás, false, loose; Goth.laus, Ice.los.]
Leasowe, lē′sÅ,n.a pasture.—v.t.to feed or pasture. [A.S.lǽs, a meadow.]
Least, lēst,adj.(serves as superl. ofLittle) little beyond all others: smallest.—adv.in the smallest or lowest degree.—advs.Least′ways,Least′wise, at least: however.—At least, orAt the least, at the lowest estimate: at any rate. [A.S.læst, contr. fromlæsast, fromlæssa(adj.), less,læs(adv.).]
Least, lēst,conj.(Spens.). Same asLest.
Leat,Leet, lēt,n.(prov.) a trench for bringing water to a mill-wheel.
Leather, leth′ėr,n.the prepared skin of an animal, tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed.—adj.consisting of leather.—ns.Leath′er-cloth, a textile fabric coated on one face with certain mixtures of a flexible nature when dry, so as to resemble leather—called alsoAmerican leather-cloth, or simplyAmerican cloth;Leath′er-coat(Shak.), an apple with a rough coat or rind, the golden russet;Leatherette′, cloth or paper made to look like leather;Leath′er-head, a blockhead: an Australian bird with a bare head—called alsoMonkandFriar:Leath′ering, a thrashing;Leath′er-jack′et, one of various fishes;Leath′er-knife, a knife of curved form for cutting leather.—adj.Leath′ern, made or consisting of leather.—p.adj.Leath′er-winged(Spens.), having wings like leather.—adj.Leath′ery, resembling leather: tough.—Fair leather, leather not artificially coloured;Morocco leather(seeMorocco);Patent leather, leather with a finely varnished surface—alsoJapannedorLacquered leather;Russia leather, a fine brownish-red leather with a characteristic odour;Split leather, leather split by a machine, for trunk-covers, &c.;White leather, tawed leather, having its natural colour. [A.S.leðer, leather; Dut. and Ger.leder.]
Leave, lēv,n.permission: liberty granted: formal parting of friends: farewell. [A.S.leáf, permission, cog. withleóf, dear. SeeLief.]
Leave, lēv,v.t.to allow to remain: to abandon, resign: to quit or depart from: to have remaining at death: to bequeath: to refer for decision.—v.i.to desist: to cease: to depart:—pr.p.leav′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.left.—Leave alone, to let remain undisturbed;Leave in the dark, to conceal information from;Leave off, to desist, to terminate: to give up using;Leave out, to omit.—Get left(coll.), to be beaten or left behind;Take French leave(seeFrench);Take leave, to assume permission: to part, say farewell. [A.S.lǽfan, to leave a heritage (láf),lifian, to be remaining.]
Leave, lēv,v.t.(Spens.) to levy, to raise.
Leave, lēv,v.i.to put out leaves.—adj.Leaved, furnished with leaves: made with folds.
Leaven, lev′n,n.the ferment which makes dough rise in a spongy form: anything that makes a general change, whether good or bad.—v.t.to raise with leaven: to taint.—n.Leav′ening.—adj.Leav′enous, containing leaven. [Fr.levain—L.levamen—levÄre, to raise—levis, light.]
Leaves, lēvz,pl.ofleaf.
Leavings, lēv′ingz,n.pl.things left: relics: refuse.—n.Leav′ing-shop, an unlicensed pawnshop.
Leavy, lēv′i,adj.(Shak.). Same asLeafy.
Lecher, lech′ėr,n.a man addicted to lewdness.—v.i.to practise lewdness.—adj.Lech′erous, lustful: provoking lust.—adv.Lech′erously.—ns.Lech′erousness,Lech′ery. [O. Fr.lecheor—lecher, to lick; from Old High Ger.lechón, Ger.lecken, Eng.lick.]
Lectern, lek′tėrn,n.a reading-desk in churches from which the Scripture lessons are read.—ns.(obs.)Lec′turn,Let′tern. [Low L.lectrinum—Low L.lectrum, a pulpit—Gr.lektron, a couch.]
Lection, lek′shun,n.a reading: a variety in a manuscript or book: a portion of Scripture read in divine service.—ns.Lec′tionary, a book for use in worship, containing lessons for particular days;Lec′tor, a reader: a reader of Scripture in the ancient churches;Lec′tress, a female reader. [L.lection-em—legĕre,lectum, to read.]
Lectual, lek′tū-al,adj.confining to the bed.
Lecture, lek′tūr,n.a discourse on any subject, esp. a professional or tutorial discourse: an expository and discursive religious discourse, usually based on an extended passage of Scripture rather than a single text: an endowed lectureship, as the Bampton, Hulsean, &c.: a formal reproof.—v.t.to instruct by discourses: to instruct authoritatively: to reprove.—v.i.to give a lecture or lectures.—ns.Lec′turer, one who lectures: one of a class of preachers in the Church of England, chosen by the vestry and supported by voluntary contributions;Lec′tureship, the office of a lecturer. [SeeLection.]
Led, led,pa.t.andpa.p.of lead, to show the way.—adj.under leading or control, esp. of a farm or place managed by a deputy instead of the owner or tenant in person.—Led captain, an obsequious attendant, a henchman;Led horse, a spare horse led by a servant, a sumpter-horse or pack-horse.
Leden, led′n,n.(Spens.) language, dialect, speech. [A.S.lǽden, Latin speech—L.Latinum, Latin.]
Ledge, lej,n.a shelf on which articles may be laid: that which resembles such a shelf: a ridge or shelf of rocks: a layer: a small moulding: a lode in mining.—adj.Ledg′y, abounding in ledges. [Skeat explains as Scand., allied to Sw.lagg, Ice.lögg, Norw.logg(pl.legger); cf. also Norw.lega, a couch; all from Ice.liggja; Sw.ligga, Dan.ligge, to lie.]
Ledger, lej′ėr,n.the principal book of accounts among merchants, in which the entries in all the other books are entered: (Shak.) a resident, esp. an ambassador: a bar, stone, &c., made to lie flat, a piece of timber used in making a scaffolding, a horizontal slab, as over a tomb.—adj.lying in a certain place, stationary. [Skeat explainsledger-bookas one that lies always ready, from Dut.legger, one that lies down,leggen, to lie, a common corr. ofliggen, to lie (likelayforliein English).]
Ledum, lē′dum,n.a genus of ericaceous plants. [Gr.lēdon, ladanum.]
Lee-board.
Lee, lē,n.the quarter toward which the wind blows.—adj.as inLee′-side, the sheltered side of a ship.—ns.Lee′-board, a board lowered on the lee-side of a vessel, and acting like a keel or centre-board to prevent her from drifting to leeward;Lee′-gage, the sheltered or safe side:—opp. toWeather-gage;Lee′-shore, the shore opposite to the lee-side of a ship;Lee′-tide, a tide running in the same direction as the wind is blowing.—adj.Lee′ward, pertaining to, or in, the direction toward which the wind blows.—adv.toward the lee.—n.Lee′way, the distance a ship is driven to leeward of her true course: a falling behind.—Make up leeway, to make up for time lost;Under the lee, on the side sheltered from the wind, under shelter from the wind. [A.S.hleów, shelter; Ice.hlé, Low Ger.lee; prov. Eng.lew.]
Lee, lē,n.(Spens.) a river: also the same asLea.
Leech, lÄ“ch,n.the edge of a sail at the sides. [Ice.lÃk, a leech-line; Dan.lig; Sw.lik, a bolt-rope.]
Leech, lēch,n.a blood-sucking worm: a physician.—v.t.to apply leeches to.—ns.Leech′craft,Leech′dom. [A.S.lǽce, one who heals; cf. Goth.leikeis.]
Leef, lēf,adj.an obsolete form oflief.
Leefang, lē′fang,n.a rope through the clew of a jib, holding it amidships while lacing on the bonnet.
Leek, lēk,n.a well-known biennial species of the onion family, esteemed for cooking—national emblem of Wales.—Eat the leek, to be compelled to take back one's words or put up with insulting treatment—from the scene between Fluellen and Pistol inHenry V. [A.S.leác, a leek, a plant, present also inChar-lock,Gar-lic,Hem-lock.]
Leer, lēr,n.a sly, sidelong look: (Shak.) complexion, colour.—v.i.to look askance: to look archly or obliquely.—adv.Leer′ingly, with a leering look. [A.S.hleór, face, cheek; Ice.hlýr.]
Lees, lēz,n.pl.sediment or dregs that settle at the bottom of liquor. [Fr.lie—Low L.lia.]
Leese, lēz,v.t.(Spens.) to lose. [A.S.leósan, to lose.]
Leet, lēt,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 ofhlot, lot.]
Leet, lēt,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(seeCourt). [A.S.lǽth.]
Leetle, lē′tl, a vulgarism forlittle.
Leeze, lēz (Scot.), in phraseLeeze me, it is pleasing to me. [Prob. a corr. ofLief is me.]
Left, left,pa.p.(Spens.) lifted.
Left, left,pa.t.andpa.p.of leave.—adj.Left′-off, laid aside.
Left, left,adj.being on the left side—alsoLeft′-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.leftforlyft, weak; prob. allied tolop.]
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(seeBail);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′-ī′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(seeLast);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, orSubstitutional,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—legÄre, to leave by will.]
Legal, lē′gal,adj.pertaining to, or according to, law: lawful: created by law: (theol.) according to the Mosaic law or dispensation.—n.Lē′galisÄtion.—v.t.Lē′galise, to make legal or lawful: to authorise: to sanction.—ns.Lē′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;Lē′galist;Legal′ity.—adv.Lē′gally.—Legal tender, that which can be lawfully used in paying a debt. [Fr.,—L.legalis—lex,legis, law.]
Legate, leg′Ät,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′atÄ«ne,of or relating to a legate.—n.LegÄ′tion, the person or persons sent as legates or ambassadors: the official abode of a legation. [Fr.légat, It.legato—L.legatus—legÄre, to send with a commission.]
Legatee. SeeLegacy.
Legato, lÄ-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.ligÄre, to tie.]
Legend, lej′end, or lē′-,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(seeGolden). [Fr.,—Low L.legenda, a book of chronicles of the saints read at matins—L.legendus—legĕre, to read.]
Leger, lej′ėr,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.lĕvis, light.]
Legerdemain, lej-Ä—r-dÄ“-mÄn′,n.sleight-of-hand: jugglery. [Fr.léger de main—L. as ifleviarius—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—legĕre, to read.]
Legion, lē′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.Lē′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—legĕre, to levy.]
Legislate, lej′is-lÄt,v.i.to bring forward, propose, or make laws.—n.LegislÄ′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.LegislatÅ′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(seeAssembly);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.]
Legist, lē′jist,n.one skilled in the laws. [Fr.]
Legitim, lej′i-tim,n.(Scots law) the legal provision which a child is entitled to out of the movable or personal estate of the deceased father.—AlsoBairn's Part. [Fr.,—L.legitimus—lex, law.]
Legitimate, le-jit′i-mÄt,adj.lawful: lawfully begotten, born in wedlock: fairly deduced: following by natural sequence: authorised by usage.—v.t.to make lawful: to give the rights of a legitimate child to an illegitimate one.—n.Legit′imacy, state of being legitimate: lawfulness of birth: regular deduction: directness of descent as affecting the royal succession.—adv.Legit′imately.—ns.Legit′imateness, lawfulness;LegitimÄ′tion, act of rendering legitimate, esp. of conferring the privileges of lawful birth.—v.t.Legit′imise(same asLegitimate).—n.Legit′imist, one who supports legitimate authority: in France, a follower of the elder Bourbon line (descendants of Louis XIV.), as opposed to the Orleanists or supporters of the descendants of the Duke of Orleans, Louis XIV.'s brother.—Legitimate drama, a designation frequently applied to the representation of Shakespeare's plays—often employed as vaguely indicating approval of the drama of some former time. [Low L.legitimÄre.-Ätum—L.legitimus, lawful—lex, law.]
Legume, leg′ūm,n.a seed-vessel which splits into two valves, having the seeds attached to the ventral suture only: a pod, as of the pea, bean, &c.—alsoLegū′men:—pl.Legū′mens,Legū′mina.—adj.Legū′minar.—n.Legū′mine, a nitrogenous proteid substance in the seeds of most leguminous plants, corresponding with the casein of milk.—adj.Legū′minous, pertaining to pulse: bearing legumes. [Fr.,—L.legumen—legĕre, to gather.]
Leibnitzian, līb-nit′zi-an,adj.pertaining to the great German philosopher and mathematician, Gottfried WilhelmLeibnitz(1646-1716).—n.Leibnit′zianism, the philosophy of Leibnitz—the doctrine of primordial monads, pre-established harmony, fundamental optimism on the principle of sufficient reason.
Leiger, lej′ėr,n.(Shak.) a resident ambassador.—AlsoLeidg′er. [SeeLedger.]
Leiotrichous, lī-ot′ri-kus,adj.of the smooth-haired races. [Gr.leios, smooth,thrix,trichos, hair.]
Leipoa, lÄ«-pÅ′a,n.a genus of Australian mound-birds.
Leister, lēs′tėr,n.(Scot.) a salmon-spear. [Cf. Ice.ljóstr; Dan.lyster, a salmon-spear.]
Leisure, lē′zhÅÅr, orlezh′-,n.time free from employment: freedom from occupation, convenient opportunity, ease.—adj.unoccupied.—adj.Lei′sured, not occupied with business.—adj.andadv.Lei′surely, not hasty or hastily.—At leisure,At one's leisure, free from occupation, at one's ease or convenience. [O. Fr.leisir—L.licÄ“re, to be permitted.]
Leman, lē′man, or lem′-,n.a sweetheart; paramour. [A.S.leóf, loved,mann, man.]
Lemma, lem′a,n.(math.) a preliminary proposition demonstrated for the purpose of being used in a subsequent proposition: sometimes in logic a premise taken for granted: a theme:—pl.Lemm′as,Lemm′ata. [L.,—Gr.lēmma—lambanein, to take.]
Lemming, lem′ing,n.a genus of rodents, nearly allied to voles, migrating southward in great numbers. [Norw.lemende,lemming—lemja, to beat. Perh. Lapp,loumek, a lemming.]
Lemnian, lem′ni-an,adj.pertaining toLemnosin the Ægean Sea.—Lemnian earth, cimolite;Lemnian ruddle, a red chalk found in Lemnos.
Lemniscate, lem-nis′kÄt,n.a curve in general form like the figure 8—alsoadj.—n.Lemnis′cus, a woollen fillet attached to the back of crowns, diadems, &c. [Gr.lÄ“mniskos.]
Lemon, lem′un,n.an oval fruit resembling the orange, with an acid pulp: the tree that bears lemons.—n.Lemonade′, a drink made of lemon-juice, water, and sugar.—adj.Lem′on-col′oured, having the colour of a ripe lemon.—ns.Lem′on-grass, a fragrant perennial grass, in India, Arabia, &c., yielding an essential oil used in perfumery;Lem′on-squash, unfervescent lemonade;Lem′on-squeez′er, a small hand-press for extracting the juice of lemons;Lem′on-yell′ow, a clear, pale yellow colour. [Fr.limon—Ar.līmūn.]
Lemur, lē′mur,n.a genus of mammals appearing to stand between the Insectivora and the monkeys, forest dwellers, mainly nocturnal in habits, common in Madagascar. [L.lemur, a ghost.]
Lemures, lem′ū-rēz,n.pl.(Milt.) spirits of the departed: spectres. [L.]
Lend, lend,v.t.to give for a short time something to be returned: to afford, grant, or furnish, in general: to let for hire.—v.i.to make a loan:—pr.plend′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.lent.—ns.Lend′er;Lend′ing, the act of giving in loan: (Shak.) that which is lent or supplied. [A.S.lǽnan—lǽn,lán, a loan.]
Length, length,n.quality of being long: extent from end to end: the longest measure of anything: long continuance: detail: (prosody) time occupied in uttering a vowel or syllable: the quality of a vowel as long or short: any definite portion of a known extent.—v.t.Length′en, to increase in length: to draw out.—v.i.to grow longer.—adv.Length′ily.—n.Length′iness.—adv.Length′wise, in the direction of the length.—adj.Length′y, of great length: rather long—(obs.)Length′ful.—Length of days, prolonged life.—At length, in the full extent: at last;Go great lengths,Go to all lengths, to use extreme efforts;Go to the length of, to proceed as far as. [A.S.,—lang, long.]
Lenient, lē′ni-ent,adj.softening: mild: merciful.—n.(med.) that which softens: an emollient.—ns.Lē′nience,Lē′niency.—adv.Lē′niently.—v.t.Lē′nify(rare), to assuage.—adj.Len′itive, mitigating: laxative.—n.any palliative: (med.) an application for easing pain: a mild purgative.—n.Len′ity, mildness: clemency. [L.leniens,-entis, pr.p. oflenīre, to soften—lenis, soft.]
Leno, lē′nÅ,n.a thin linen like muslin.
Lenocinium, lÄ“-nÅ-sin′i-um,n.(Scots law) a husband's connivance at his wife's adultery. [L.]