Agency Dictionary
Legacy
nounPronunciation: /ˈleɡ.ə.si/
In Portuguese: Legado
Culture & Identity
History & CivilizationsWhat does “Legacy” mean?
An enduring body of work, set of values, or material inheritance handed down from a predecessor to future generations.
Etymology
From Middle English legacie, from Old French legacie and Medieval Latin legatia, from Latin legatum, "a bequest", from legare, "to bequeath, to entrust, to send as deputy", from lex, legis, "law". In English the word first named the office or mission of a legate. The sense of property left by will is recorded from the 15th century, and the broader sense of anything inherited from the past, such as a body of work or a set of values, grew from it.
Usage note
In computing, legacy describes outdated systems or code still in use: legacy software, legacy hardware. In general use the word is usually positive (a lasting legacy).
Synonyms
- inheritance
- heritage
- bequest
- endowment
- tradition
Word family
- legate
- legatee
- delegate
Usage examples
But regardless, we were left with his legacy of Tony Soprano, which is a reason to celebrate.
Concepts
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Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- shogunatenoun
- A feudal military dictatorship in Japan, headed by a shogun, in which loyalty and honour were central to its operation. The system was exclusive to Japan and did not exist in other Asian nations.
- eppur si muoveother
- An Italian phrase meaning and yet it moves. It is used to affirm that a fact remains true no matter who denies it.
- Monoclenoun
- A single eyeglass lens designed to correct or enhance vision in one eye, held in place by the facial muscles around the eye socket.
- Paleolithicadjective
- Relating to the Old Stone Age, the earliest and longest period of human prehistory, marked by chipped stone tools and, in its later phase, by the first cave paintings.
- samurainoun
- A member of the warrior class of feudal Japan, bound by codes of loyalty and honour, who served under the shogunate system. In the article, the samurai class is one of the two groups with access to Noh theatre.
- Agoranoun
- A public open space in ancient Greek cities used for assemblies, commercial markets, and philosophical dialogue.
- Alchemistnoun
- A practitioner of alchemy, seeking to transmute base metals into noble elements and discover a universal cure.
- amphitheatrenoun
- An oval or circular open-air venue with tiered seating used in the Roman world for gladiatorial contests, beast hunts, and public executions.
- aqueductnoun
- An engineered conduit or bridge designed to convey water from distant freshwater springs into urban centers using gravity flow.
- Aûsunoun
- An Old Tupi noun denoting love, affection, friendship, or benevolent regard.
- Aûsubverb
- An Old Tupi transitive verb meaning to love, care for, or hold someone in deep esteem.
- baronnoun
- A member of the aristocracy, or an influential magnate exercising commanding power in a specific industry.
Also from these editions: terms
- Ambiguousadjective
- Open to more than one interpretation; lacking definitive clarity or certainty in meaning, intention, or moral alignment.
- Anesthetizeverb
- To administer an anesthetic to eliminate physical feeling, or figuratively to numb emotional or critical awareness.
- Arrogancenoun
- An offensive display of superiority, self-importance, or overbearing pride that disparages others and their contributions.
- Compassionnoun
- Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the genuine desire to alleviate their distress and provide solace.
- Dignitynoun
- The quality of being worthy of honor, esteem, and ethical respect; a composed, self-respecting conduct under adversity.
- Ephemeraladjective
- Lasting for only a very brief period of time; fleeting, transitory, or impermanent in nature.
- Lineagenoun
- Direct lineal descent from an ancestor, or an unbroken historical sequence of practitioners, ideas, or artistic traditions.
- Nuancedadjective
- Characterized by subtle shades of meaning, delicate distinctions, or layered psychological complexity.
- Saudadenoun
- A profound, melancholic longing for an absent person, place, or time that is loved and remembered with bittersweet affection.
- Taboonoun
- A social, cultural, or religious prohibition restricting a particular practice, discussion, or association under moral penalty.
- Vulnerabilitynoun
- The state of being susceptible to physical, emotional, or moral wounding; openness to risk, grief, and honest exposure.
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