Chapter 891

Leech , n. [OE. leche , l\'91che , physician, AS. l<?/ce ; akin to Fries. l<?/tza , OHG. l\'behh\'c6 , Icel . l\'91knari , Sw. l\'84kare , Dan. l\'91ge , Goth. l<?/keis , AS. l\'becnian to heal, Sw. l\'84ka , Dan. l\'91ge , Icel. l\'91kna , Goth. l<?/kin<?/n .] 1. physician or surgeon; a professor of the art of healing. [Written also leach .] [Archaic]

Spenser.

Leech , heal thyself. Wyclif (Luke iv. 23).

2. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of numerous genera and species of annulose worms, belonging to the order Hirudinea , or Bdelloidea, esp. those species <-- formerly! -->used in medicine, as Hirudo medicinalis of Europe, and allied species.

&hand; In the mouth of bloodsucking leeches are three convergent, serrated jaws, moved by strong muscles. By the motion of these jaws a stellate incision is made in the skin, through which the leech sucks blood till it is gorged, and then drops off. The stomach has large pouches on each side to hold the blood. The common large bloodsucking leech of America ( Macrobdella decora ) is dark olive above, and red below, with black spots. Many kinds of leeches are parasitic on fishes; others feed upon worms and mollusks, and have no jaws for drawing blood. See Bdelloidea . Hirudinea , and Clepsine .

3. (Surg.) A glass tube of peculiar construction, adapted for drawing blood from a scarified part by means of a vacuum.

Horse leech , a less powerful European leech ( H\'91mopis vorax ), commonly attacking the membrane that lines the inside of the mouth and nostrils of animals that drink at pools where it lives.

Leech <Xpage=840>

Leech , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Leeched (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Leeching .] 1. To treat as a surgeon; to doctor; as, to leech wounds . [Archaic]

2. To bleed by the use of leeches.

Leechcraft <Xpage=840>

Leech"craft` (?) , n. The art of healing; skill of a physician. [Archaic]

Chaucer.

Leed, Leede <Xpage=840>

Leed , Leede (?) , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A caldron; a copper kettle. [Obs.] "A furnace of a leed ."

Chaucer.

Leef <Xpage=840>

Leef (?) , a. & adv. See Lief . [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Leek <Xpage=840>

Leek (?) , n. [AS. le\'a0c ; akin to D. look , G. lauch , OHG. louh , Icel. laukr , Sw. l\'94k , Dan l\'94g . Cf. Garlic .] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Allium ( A. Porrum ), having broadly linear succulent leaves rising from a loose oblong cylindrical bulb. The flavor is stronger than that of the common onion.

Wild leek , in America, a plant ( Allium tricoccum ) with a cluster of ovoid bulbs and large oblong elliptical leaves.

Leeme <Xpage=840>

Leeme (?) , v. & n. See Leme . [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Leep <Xpage=840>

Leep (?) , obs. strong imp. of Leap . leaped.

Leer <Xpage=840>

Leer (?) , v. t. To learn. [Obs.] See Lere , to learn.

Leer <Xpage=840>

Leer , a. [OE. lere ; akin to G. leer , OHG. & OS. l\'beri .] [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Empty; destitute; wanting ; as: (a) Empty of contents . "A leer stomach." Gifford . (b) Destitute of a rider; and hence, led, not ridden; as, a leer horse . B. Jonson . (c) Wanting sense or seriousness; trifling; trivolous; as, leer words .

Leer <Xpage=840>

Leer , n. An oven in which glassware is annealed.

Leer <Xpage=840>

Leer , n. [OE. lere cheek, face, look, AS. hle\'a2r cheek, face; akin to OS. hlear , hlior , OD. lier , Icel. hl<?/r .] 1. The cheek. [Obs.]

Holinshed.

2. complexion; aspect; appearance. [Obs.]

A Rosalind of a better leer than you. Shak.

3. A distorted expression of the face, or an indirect glance of the eye, conveying a sinister or immodest suggestion.

With jealous leer malign Eyed them askance. Milton.

She gives the leer of invitation. Shak.

Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer . Pope.

Leer <Xpage=840>

Leer , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Leered (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Leering .] To look with a leer; to look askance with a suggestive expression, as of hatred, contempt, lust, etc. ; to cast a sidelong lustful or malign look.

I will leer him as a'comes by. Shak.

The priest, above his book, Leering at his neighbor's wife. Tennyson.

Leer <Xpage=840>

Leer , v. t. To entice with a leer, or leers; as, to leer a man to ruin .

Dryden.

Leere <Xpage=840>

Leere (?) , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] Tape or braid; an ornament.

Halliwell.

Leere side , the left side, as that on which a leere or ornament was worn.

B. Jonson.

Leeringly <Xpage=840>

Leer"ing*ly , adv. In a leering manner.

Lees <Xpage=840>

Lees (?) , n. pl. Dregs. See 2d Lee .

Lees <Xpage=840>

Lees (?) , n. A leash. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Leese <Xpage=840>

Leese (?) , v. t. [See Lose .] To lose. [Obs.]

They would rather leese their friend than their jest. Lord Burleigh.

Leese <Xpage=840>

Leese , v. t. [Cf. f. l\'82ser , L. laesus , p. p. of laedere .] To hurt. [Obs.]

B. Jonson.

Leet <Xpage=840>

Leet (?) , obs. imp. of Let , to allow.

Chaucer.

Leet <Xpage=840>

Leet n. [Cf. AS. hl<?/t share, lot.] A portion; a list, esp. a list of candidates for an office. [Scot.]

Leet <Xpage=840>

Leet , n. [LL. leta . Cf. F. lit de justice a solemn sitting of the king in Parliament, L. lis , litis , a lawsuit, It., Sp., & Pg. lite .] (Eng. Hist.) A court-leet; the district within the jurisdiction of a court-leet; the day on which a court-leet is held.

Shak.

&hand; The original intent of the court-leet was to view the frankpledges or freemen within the liberty; hence called the view of frankpledge . Latterly it has fallen into almost entire disuse.

Burrill. Warren's Blackstone.

Leet ale , a feast or merrymaking in time of leet. [Obs.]

Leet <Xpage=840>

Leet , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo\'94l.) The European pollock.

Leetman <Xpage=840>

Leet"man (?) , n. ; pl. Leetmen (<?/) . One subject to the jurisdiction of a court-leet.

Leeward <Xpage=840>

Lee"ward (?) , a. (Naut.) Pertaining to, or in the direction of, the part or side toward which the wind blows; -- opposed to windward ; as, a leeward berth; a leeward ship. -- n. The lee side; the lee. -- adv. Toward the lee.

Leeway <Xpage=840>

Lee"way` (?) , n. (Naut.) The lateral movement of a ship to the leeward of her course; drift.

Left <Xpage=840>

Left (?) , imp. & p. p. of Leave .

Left <Xpage=840>

Left , a. [OE. left , lift , luft ; akin to Fries. leeft , OD. lucht , luft ; cf. AS. left (equiv. to L. inanis ), lyft\'bedl palsy; or cf. AS. l<?/f weak.] Of or pertaining to that side of the body in man on which the muscular action of the limbs is usually weaker than on the other side; -- opposed to right , when used in reference to a part of the body; as, the left ear . Also said of the corresponding side of the lower animals.

Left bank of a river , that which is on the left hand of a person whose face is turned downstream. -- Left bower . See under 2d Bower . -- Left center , the members whose sympathies are, in the main, with the members of the Left, but who do not favor extreme courses, and on occasions vote with the government. They sit between the Center and the extreme Left. -- Over the left shoulder , &or; Over the left , an old but still current colloquialism, or slang expression, used as an aside to indicate insincerity, negation, or disbelief; as, he said it, and it is true, -- over the left .

Left <Xpage=840>

Left , n. 1. that part of surrounding space toward which the left side of one's body is turned; as, the house is on the left when you face North .

Put that rose a little more to the left . Ld. Lytton.

2. those members of a legislative assembly (as in France) who are in the opposition; the advanced republicans and extreme radicals. They have their seats at the left-hand side of the presiding officer. See Center , and Right . <-- now used of any group advocating a leftist policy -- which is variously interpeted, as meaning "radical", "liberal", "reformist", "anti-establishment" "advocating change in the name of greater freedom or well-being of the common man[MW10]" -- opposed to rightist, and in the "liberal" interpretation, opposed to "conservative". -->

Left-hand <Xpage=840>

Left"-hand` (?) , a. Situated on the left; nearer the left hand than the right; as, the left-hand side; the left-hand road.

Left-hand rope , rope laid up and twisted over from right to left, or against the sun; -- called also water-laid rope .

Left-handed <Xpage=840>

Left"-hand`ed , a. 1. Having the left hand or arm stronger and more dexterous than the right; using the left hand and arm with more dexterity than the right.

2. Clumsy; awkward; unlucky; insincere; sinister; malicious; as, a left-handed compliment .

The commendations of this people are not always left-handed and detractive. Landor.

3. Having a direction contrary to that of the hands of a watch when seen in front; -- said of a twist, a rotary motion, etc., looked at from a given direction.

Left-handed marriage , a morganatic marriage. See Morganatic . -- Left-handed screw , a screw constructed to advance away from the observer, when turned, as in a nut, with a left-handed rotation. An ordinary wood screw is right-handed.

Left-handedness, Left-handiness <Xpage=840>

Left"-hand`ed*ness , Left"-hand`i*ness (?) , n. The state or quality of being left-handed; awkwardness.

An awkward address, ungraceful attitudes and actions, and a certain left-handiness (if I may use the expression) proclaim low education. Chesterfield.

Left-off <Xpage=840>

Left"-off" (?) , a. Laid a side; cast-off.

Leftward <Xpage=840>

Left"ward (?) , adv. Toward or on the left side.

Rightward and leftward rise the rocks. Southey.

Leful <Xpage=840>

Le"ful (?) , a. See Leveful . [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Leg <Xpage=840>

Leg (?) , n. [Icel. leggr ; akin to Dan. l\'91g calf of the leg, Sw. l\'84gg .] 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.

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 pair of compasses or dividers.

3. The part of any article of clothing which covers the leg; as, the leg of a stocking or of a pair of trousers .

4. A bow, esp. in the phrase to make a leg ; probably from drawing the leg backward in bowing. [Obs.]

He that will give a cap and make a leg in thanks for a favor he never received. Fuller.

5. A disreputable sporting character; a blackleg. [Slang, Eng.]

6. (Naut.) The course and distance made by a vessel on one tack or between tacks.

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 .

8. (Grain Elevator) The case containing the lower part of the belt which carries the buckets.

9. (Cricket) A fielder whose position is on the outside, a little in rear of the batter.

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. -- One's last legs . See under Last . -- To have legs (Naut.) , to have speed. <-- also, to have endurance, to continue longer than usual, --> -- To stand on one's own legs , to support one's self; to be independent.

<page="841"> Page 841

Leg <Xpage=841>

Leg (?) , v. t. To use as a leg, with it as object: (a) To bow. [Obs.] (b) To run [Low]

Legacy <Xpage=841>

Leg"a*cy (?) , n. ; pl. Legacies (#) . [L. (assumed) legatia , for legatum , from legare to appoint by last will, to bequeath as a legacy, to depute: cf. OF. legat legacy. See Legate .] 1. A gift of property by will, esp. of money or personal property; a bequest. Also Fig.; as, a legacy of dishonor or disease .

2. A business with which one is intrusted by another; a commission; -- obsolete, except in the phrases last legacy , dying legacy , and the like.

My legacy and message wherefore I am sent into the world. Tyndale.

He came and told his legacy . Chapman.

Legacy duty , a tax paid to government on legacies. Wharton . -- Legacy hunter , one who flatters and courts any one for the sake of a legacy. <-- related to gold-digger (latter for any riches, not just a legacy) -->

Legal <Xpage=841>

Le"gal (?) , a. [L. legalis , fr. lex , legis , law; prob. orig., that which lies or is fixed (cf. L. lectus bed), and if so akin to E. lie , law : cf. F. l\'82gal . Cf. Lie to be prostrate, Loyal , Leal .] 1. Created by, permitted by, in conformity with, or relating to, law; as, a legal obligation; a legal standard or test; a legal procedure; a legal claim; a legal trade; anything is legal which the laws do not forbid .

2. (Theol.) (a) According to the law of works, as distinguished from free grace; or resting on works for salvation. (b) According to the old or Mosaic dispensation; in accordance with the law of Moses

3. (Law) Governed by the rules of law as distinguished from the rules of equity; as, legal estate; legal assets.

Bouvier. Burrill.

Legal cap . See under Cap . -- Legal tender . (a) The act of tendering in the performance of a contract or satisfaction of a claim that which the law prescribes or permits, and at such time and place as the law prescribes or permits . (b) That currency, or money, which the law authorizes a debtor to tender and requires a creditor to receive . It differs in different countries.

Syn. -- Lawful; constitutional; legitimate; licit; authorized. See Lawful .

Legalism <Xpage=841>

Le"gal*ism (?) , n. Strictness, or the doctrine of strictness, in conforming to law.

Legalist <Xpage=841>

Le"gal*ist , n. One who practices or advocates strict conformity to law; in theology, one who holds to the law of works. See Legal , 2 (a) .

Legality <Xpage=841>

Le*gal"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. LL. legalitas , F. l\'82galit\'82 . Cf. Loyalty .] 1. The state or quality of being letter of the law.

Legalization <Xpage=841>

Le`gal*i*za"tion (?) , n. The act of making legal.

Legalize <Xpage=841>

Le"gal*ize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Legalized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Legalizing (?) .] [Cf. F. l\'82galiser .] 1. To make legal.

2. (Theol.) To interpret or apply in a legal spirit.

Legally <Xpage=841>

Le"gal*ly , adv. In a legal manner.

Legantine <Xpage=841>

Le*gan"tine (?) , a. [Obs.] See Legatine .

Legatary <Xpage=841>

Leg"a*ta*ry (?) , n. [L. legatarius , fr. legaturius enjoined by a last will: cf. F. l\'82gataire . See Legacy .] A legatee. [R.]

Ayliffe.

Legate <Xpage=841>

Leg"ate (?) , n. [OE. legal , L. legatus , fr. legare to sent with a commission or charge, to depute, fr. lex , legis , law: cf. F. l\'82gat , It. legato . See Legal .] 1. An ambassador or envoy.

2. An ecclesiastic representing the pope and invested with the authority of the Holy See.

&hand; Legates are of three kinds: ( a ) Legates a latere , now always cardinals. They are called ordinary or extraordinary legates, the former governing provinces, and the latter class being sent to foreign countries on extraordinary occasions. ( b ) Legati missi , who correspond to the ambassadors of temporal governments. ( c ) Legati nati , or legates by virtue of their office , as the archbishops of Salzburg and Prague.

3. (Rom. Hist.) (a) An official assistant given to a general or to the governor of a province. (b) Under the emperors, a governor sent to a province.

Legatee <Xpage=841>

Leg`a*tee" (?) , n. [See Legacy .] (Law) One to whom a legacy is bequeathed.

Legateship <Xpage=841>

Leg"ate*ship (?) , n. The office of a legate.

Legatine <Xpage=841>

Leg"a*tine (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a legate; as, legatine power .

Holinshed.

2. Made by, proceeding from, or under the sanction of, a legate; as, a legatine constitution .

Ayliffe.

Legation <Xpage=841>

Le*ga"tion (?) , n. [L. legatio : cf. F. l\'82gation , It. legazione . See Legate .] 1. The sending forth or commissioning one person to act for another. "The Divine legation of Moses."

Bp. Warburton.

2. A legate, or envoy, and the persons associated with him in his mission; an embassy; or, in stricter usage, a diplomatic minister and his suite; a deputation.

3. The place of business or official residence of a diplomatic minister at a foreign court or seat of government.

4. A district under the jurisdiction of a legate.

Legato <Xpage=841>