leg
/lɛɡ/
noun
Origin
Old Norse
leggr — bone, leg
Overview
Meaning Now
- One of the limbs of an animal or human, used for standing, walking, or running.
- A part of an object or furniture that supports it from below.
- A distinct segment or stage of a journey, race, or process.
Language path
Old Norse → Middle English → English
Earliest form
leggr
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word 'leg' is a Scandinavian loanword that entered Middle English in the 13th century. Before its introduction, English speakers referred to the limb using the Germanic term 'shank' (Old English scanca), which refers specifically to the part of the leg between the knee and ankle in modern English.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*lagjaz
“bone”
- Old Norse
leggr
“bone, especially the leg bone”
Introduced to English during the Middle English period.
- Middle English
leg
“lower limb”
Gradually replaced the Old English term 'shank' (scanca).
Connections
Word parts
leg
root
limb used for locomotion
Related across languages
Old Norse
leggr
bone; leg
Swedish
läst
last (the form on which a shoe is shaped)
Explore next
Related to leg
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.