- On one's last legs
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
3. The part of any article of clothing which covers the leg; as, the leg of a stocking or of a pair of trousers. [1913 Webster]
4. A bow, esp. in the phrase to make a leg; probably from drawing the leg backward in bowing. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
He that will give a cap and make a leg in thanks for a favor he never received. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]
5. A disreputable sporting character; a blackleg. [Slang, Eng.] [1913 Webster]
6. (Naut.) The course and distance made by a vessel on one tack or between tacks. [1913 Webster]
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}. [1913 Webster]
8. (Grain Elevator) The case containing the lower part of the belt which carries the buckets. [1913 Webster]
9. (Cricket) A fielder whose position is on the outside, a little in rear of the batter. [1913 Webster]
10. (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. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
11. (Telephony) A branch or lateral circuit connecting an instrument with the main line. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
12. (Elec.) A branch circuit; one phase of a polyphase system. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
