Leg (leg), n. [Icel. leggr; akin to Dan. læg calf of the leg, Sw. lägg.]
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.
© Webster 1913
Leg (leg), v. t.
To use as a leg, with it as object:
(a)
To bow. [Obs.]
(b)
To run. [Low]
© Webster 1913
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.
© Webster 1913