leg
UK[leɡ]US[leɡ]
n
One of the long parts of the body that a person or animal uses for standing and walking.
n
The part of a piece of clothing that covers a person's leg.
n
A long, thin support for a piece of furniture.
n
One of the parts of a journey or race.
Etymology
The word 'leg' has a direct and ancient lineage from Proto-Germanic lagjaz, lagjō-, which likely referred to a "limb." It is cognate with Old Norse leggr (meaning "leg, bone") and Norwegian legg. While its ultimate pre-Germanic origin is uncertain, it has remained remarkably stable in form and core meaning throughout its history in English. The semantic journey is straightforward, evolving from a general term for a limb or bone to its specific modern reference for the lower limb used in support and locomotion.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin. The Old English form was leġ, leg, meaning "limb, leg, bone of the leg." Its functional role is as a free root.
Examples
She broke her leg in a skiing accident.
He rolled up his trouser leg to wade across the stream.
The final leg of the tour was a flight from Paris to London.