Leg
n.- 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.
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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; theleg of a pair of compasses or dividers. -
The part of any article of clothing which covers the leg;
as, the .leg of a stocking or of a pair of trousers - A bow, esp. in the phrase to make a leg; probably from drawing the leg backward in bowing.
- A disreputable sporting character; a blackleg.
- (Naut.) The course and distance made by a vessel on one tack or between tacks.
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(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 . - (Grain Elevator) The case containing the lower part of the belt which carries the buckets.
- (Cricket) A fielder whose position is on the outside, a little in rear of the batter.
- (Math.) Either side of a triangle distinguished from the base or, in a right triangle, from the hypotenuse; also, an indefinitely extending branch of a curve, as of a hyperbola.
- (Telephony) A branch or lateral circuit connecting an instrument with the main line.
- (Elec.) A branch circuit; one phase of a polyphase system. A good leg (Naut.),
a course sailed on a tack which is near the desired course.
Leg bail ,
escape from custody by flight.
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;
On one's legs ,
standing to speak.
On one's last legs .
See under
To have legs (Naut.),
to have speed.
To stand on one's own legs ,
to support one's self; to be independent.
v. t.
- To bow.
- To run.