Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Leg?

\Leg\ (l[e^]g), n. [Icel. leggr; akin to Dan. l[ae]g calf of the leg, Sw. l["a]gg.] 1. A limb or member of an animal used for supporting the body, and in running, climbing, and swimming; esp., that part of the limb between the knee and foot. 2. That which resembles a leg in form or use; especially, any long and slender support on which any object rests; as, the leg of a table; the leg of a pair of compasses or dividers. 3. The part of any article of clothing which covers the leg; as, the leg of a stocking or of a pair of trousers. 4. A bow, esp. in the phrase to make a leg; probably from drawing the leg backward in bowing. [Obs.] He that will give a cap and make a leg in thanks for a favor he never received. --Fuller. 5. A disreputable sporting character; a blackleg. [Slang, Eng.] 6. (Naut.) The course and distance made by a vessel on one tack or between tacks. 7. (Steam Boiler) An extension of the boiler downward, in the form of a narrow space between vertical plates, sometimes nearly surrounding the furnace and ash pit, and serving to support the boiler; -- called also {water leg}. 8. (Grain Elevator) The case containing the lower part of the belt which carries the buckets. 9. (Cricket) A fielder whose position is on the outside, a little in rear of the batter. {A good leg} (Naut.), a course sailed on a tack which is near the desired course. {Leg bail}, escape from custody by flight. [Slang] {Legs of an hyperbola} (or other curve) (Geom.), the branches of the curve which extend outward indefinitely. {Legs of a triangle}, the sides of a triangle; -- a name seldom used unless one of the sides is first distinguished by some appropriate term; as, the hypothenuse and two legs of a right-angled triangle. {On one's legs}, standing to speak. {On one's last legs}. See under {Last}. {To have legs} (Naut.), to have speed. {To stand on one's own legs}, to support one's self; to be independent.
\Leg\ (l[e^]g), v. t. To use as a leg, with it as object: (a) To bow. [Obs.] (b) To run. [Low]
\Leg\, n. 1. (Math.) Either side of a triangle of a triangle as distinguished from the base or, in a right triangle, from the hypotenuse; also, an indefinitely extending branch of a curve, as of a hyperbola. 2. (Telephony) A branch or lateral circuit connecting an instrument with the main line. 3. (Elec.) A branch circuit; one phase of a polyphase system.