LEETLE, l[=e]'tl, a vulgarism for _little_.
LEEZE, l[=e]z (_Scot._), in phrase LEEZE ME, it is pleasing to me. [Prob. a corr. of _Lief is me_.]
LEFT, left, _pa.p._ (_Spens._) lifted.
LEFT, left, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of leave.--_adj._ LEFT'-OFF, laid aside.
LEFT, left, _adj._ being on the left side--also LEFT'-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. _left_ for _lyft_, weak; prob.
allied to _lop_.]
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 (see BAIL); 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'-[=I]'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 (see LAST); ON ONE'S LEGS, standing, esp. to speak; UPON ITS LEGS, in an independent position. [Ice.
_leggr_, a leg; Dan. _laeg_, Sw. _lagg_.]
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, or SUBSTITUTIONAL, 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_--_leg[=a]re_, to leave by will.]
LEGAL, l[=e]'gal, _adj._ pertaining to, or according to, law: lawful: created by law: (_theol._) according to the Mosaic law or dispensation.--_n._ L[=E]'GALIS[=A]TION.--_v.t._ L[=E]'GALISE, to make legal or lawful: to authorise: to sanction.--_ns._ L[=E]'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; L[=E]'GALIST; LEGAL'ITY.--_adv._ L[=E]'GALLY.--LEGAL TENDER, that which can be lawfully used in paying a debt. [Fr.,--L.
_legalis_--_lex_, _legis_, law.]
LEGATE, leg'[=a]t, _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'at[=i]ne, of or relating to a legate.--_n._ LEG[=A]'TION, the person or persons sent as legates or ambassadors: the official abode of a legation. [Fr. _legat_, It.
_legato_--L. _legatus_--_leg[=a]re_, to send with a commission.]
LEGATEE. See LEGACY.
LEGATO, l[=a]-ga'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. _lig[=a]re_, to tie.]
LEGEND, lej'end, or l[=e]'-, _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 (see GOLDEN). [Fr.,--Low L.
_legenda_, a book of chronicles of the saints read at matins--L.
_legendus_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]
LEGER, lej'[.e]r, _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. _l[)e]vis_, light.]
LEGERDEMAIN, lej-[.e]r-d[=e]-m[=a]n', _n._ sleight-of-hand: jugglery. [Fr.
_leger de main_--L. as if _leviarius_--_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_--_leg[)e]re_, to read.]
LEGION, l[=e]'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._ L[=E]'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_--_leg[)e]re_, to levy.]
LEGISLATE, lej'is-l[=a]t, _v.i._ to bring forward, propose, or make laws.--_n._ LEGISL[=A]'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._ LEGISLAT[=O]'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 (see ASSEMBLY); 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, l[=e]'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.--Also _Bairn's Part_. [Fr.,--L. _legitimus_--_lex_, law.]
LEGITIMATE, le-jit'i-m[=a]t, _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; LEGITIM[=A]'TION, act of rendering legitimate, esp. of conferring the privileges of lawful birth.--_v.t._ LEGIT'IMISE (same as LEGITIMATE).--_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. _legitim[=a]re_. _-[=a]tum_--L. _legitimus_, lawful--_lex_, law.]
LEGUME, leg'[=u]m, _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.--also LEG[=U]'MEN:--_pl._ LEG[=U]'MENS, LEG[=U]'MINA.--_adj._ LEG[=U]'MINAR.--_n._ LEG[=U]'MINE, a nitrogenous proteid substance in the seeds of most leguminous plants, corresponding with the casein of milk.--_adj._ LEG[=U]'MINOUS, pertaining to pulse: bearing legumes.
[Fr.,--L. _legumen_--_leg[)e]re_, to gather.]
LEIBNITZIAN, l[=i]b-nit'zi-an, _adj._ pertaining to the great German philosopher and mathematician, Gottfried Wilhelm _Leibnitz_ (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'[.e]r, _n._ (_Shak._) a resident ambassador.--Also LEIDG'ER.
[See LEDGER.]
LEIOTRICHOUS, l[=i]-ot'ri-kus, _adj._ of the smooth-haired races. [Gr.
_leios_, smooth, _thrix_, _trichos_, hair.]
LEIPOA, l[=i]-p[=o]'a, _n._ a genus of Australian mound-birds.
LEISTER, l[=e]s't[.e]r, _n._ (_Scot._) a salmon-spear. [Cf. Ice. _ljostr_; Dan. _lyster_, a salmon-spear.]
LEISURE, l[=e]'zh[=oo]r, or lezh'-, _n._ time free from employment: freedom from occupation, convenient opportunity, ease.--_adj._ unoccupied.--_adj._ LEI'SURED, not occupied with business.--_adj._ and _adv._ 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. _lic[=e]re_, to be permitted.]
LEMAN, l[=e]'man, or lem'-, _n._ a sweetheart; paramour. [A.S. _leof_, 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.
_l[=e]mma_--_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 to _Lemnos_ in the aegean Sea.--LEMNIAN EARTH, cimolite; LEMNIAN RUDDLE, a red chalk found in Lemnos.
LEMNISCATE, lem-nis'k[=a]t, _n._ a curve in general form like the figure 8--also _adj._--_n._ LEMNIS'CUS, a woollen fillet attached to the back of crowns, diadems, &c. [Gr. _l[=e]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. _l[=i]m[=u]n_.]
LEMUR, l[=e]'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'[=u]-r[=e]z, _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.p_ lend'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ lent.--_ns._ LEND'ER; LEND'ING, the act of giving in loan: (_Shak._) that which is lent or supplied. [A.S.
_l['ae]nan_--_l['ae]n_, _lan_, 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, l[=e]'ni-ent, _adj._ softening: mild: merciful.--_n._ (_med._) that which softens: an emollient.--_ns._ L[=E]'NIENCE, L[=E]'NIENCY.--_adv._ L[=E]'NIENTLY.--_v.t._ L[=E]'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. of _len[=i]re_, to soften--_lenis_, soft.]
LENO, l[=e]'n[=o], _n._ a thin linen like muslin.
LENOCINIUM, l[=e]-n[=o]-sin'i-um, _n._ (_Scots law_) a husband's connivance at his wife's adultery. [L.]
[Illustration]
LENS, lenz, _n._ (_optics_) a piece of transparent substance with one or both sides convex or concave, the object to refract rays of light really or apparently radiating from a point, and make them deviate so as to pass, or travel on as if they had passed, through another point: the crystalline humour of the eye: a genus of leguminous plants:--_pl._ LENS'ES. [L.