legendary (adj.)

mid-16c., from Medieval Latin legendarius "pertaining to legends," from legenda (see legend). Earlier in English it was a noun meaning "a collection of legends" (1510s).

Entries linking to legendary

legend (n.)

early 14c., "narrative dealing with a happening or an event," from Old French legende (12c., Modern French légende) and directly from Medieval Latin legenda "legend, story," especially lives of saints, which were formerly read at matins and in refectories of religious houses, literally "(things) to be read," on certain days in church, etc., from Latin legendus, neuter plural gerundive of legere "to read; to gather, pluck, select," from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather," with derivatives meaning "to speak (to 'pick out words')."

Extended sense of "nonhistorical or mythical story," with or without saints, wonders, and miracles is first recorded late 14c. Meaning "writing or inscription" (especially on a coin or medal) is from 1610s; on a map, illustration, etc., from 1903. To be a legend in (one's) own time is from 1958.

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updated on June 09, 2016

Definitions of legendary from WordNet

legendary (adj.)

so celebrated as to having taken on the nature of a legend;

the legendary exploits of the arctic trailblazers

legendary (adj.)

celebrated in fable or legend;

legendary exploits of Jesse James

Synonyms: fabled

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near legendary

legate

legation

legato

legem pone

legend

legendary

legerdemain

legged

legging

leggy

*legh-